NRLF 


- 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

CALIFORNIA 
SANTA    CRUZ 


from  the 
personal  library 
of 

SUSANNA  BRYANT  DAKIN 

presented  in  her  memory  to 
the  university  library 
university  of  California 
santa  cruz 
by 

HENRY  SALTONSTALL  DAKIN 
MARY  DAKIN  SADGOPAL 
SUSANNA  DAK7N  ARP 

1969 


A  Little  Girl  in  Old  San  Francisco 


THE  "LITTLE  GIRL"  SERIES 


A  LITTLE  GIRL 
HANNAH  ANN  ; 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 
A  LITTLE  GIRL 


IN  OLD  NEW  YORK 

A  SEQyEL 

IN  OLD  BOSTON 

IN  OLD  PHILADELPHIA 

IN  OLD  WASHINGTON 

IN  OLD  NEW  ORLEANS 

IN  OLD  DETROIT 

IN  OLD  ST.  LOUIS 

IN  OLD  CHICAGO 

IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

IN  OLD  QyEBEC 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN 
OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 


BY 


AMANDA  M.  DOUGLAS 


NEW  YORK 

DODD,  MEAD  AND  COMPANY 
1905 


Copyright,  1905 

By  DODD,  MEAD  &  COMPANY 

All  rights  reserved 

Published  September,  1905 


?s 


To 
MARTHA   REDINGTON 

To  you  who  have  enjoyed  the  charms  and  wonders  of 
the  newer  city^  the  old  and  remarkable  may  have  a  charm. 
Half  a  century  is  not  much  in  which  to  rear  the  Queen 
City  of  the  Western  Coast. 

With  a  friend's  regard, 

The  Author. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I  FROM  MAINE  TO  CALIFORNIA  i 

II  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 15 

III  MAKING  A  NEW  HOME 27 

IV  A  QUEER  WINTER 43 

V  PELAJO 59 

VI  A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK 79 

VII  A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY 94 

VIII  GIRLS  AND  GIRLS 107 

IX  A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER 124 

X  ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE 138 

XI  IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  .  .  .  .  155 

XII  NEW  EXPERIENCES 174 

XIII  BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL 189 

XIV  A  WEDDING   AND  A  PARTING         .        .        .        .205 
XV  THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH      .        .        .        .223 

XVI  IN  THE  BALANCE 241 

XVII  THE  DECISION  OF  FATE 258 

XVIII  To  SEE  You  ONCE  AGAIN 276 

XIX  THE  GUIDING  FINGER 292 

XX  AN  ENCHANTED  JOURNEY 3*3 


CHAPTER  I 

FROM    MAINE  TO   CALIFORNIA 

IT  was  a  long  journey  for  a  little  girl,  so  long  indeed 
that  the  old  life  had  almost  faded  from  her  mind,  and 
seemed  like  something  done  in  another  existence. 
When  she  was  younger  still  she  had  once  surprised  her 
mother  by  saying,  "  Mother,  where  did  I  live  before  I 
came  here  ?  "  The  pale,  care-worn  woman  had  glanced 
at  her  in  vague  surprise  and  answered  rather  fretfully, 
"  Why,  nowhere,  child." 

"  Oh,  but  I  remember  things,"  said  the  little  girl 
with  a  confident  air,  looking  out  of  eyes  that  seemed 
to  take  an  added  shade  from  her  present  emotions. 

"  Nonsense !  You  can't  remember  things  that 
never  happened.  That's  imagining  them,  and  it  isn't 
true.  If  you  told  them  they  would  be  falsehoods. 
There,  go  out  and  get  me  a  basket  of  chips." 

She  was  afraid  of  telling  falsehoods,  most  of  those 
rigid  people  called  them  by  their  plain  name,  "  lies," 
and  whipped  their  children.  So  the  little  girl  kept  them 
to  herself ;  she  was  a  very  good  and  upright  child  as  a 
general  thing  and  knew  very  little  about  her  tricky 
father.  But  she  went  on  imagining.  Especially  when 
she  studied  geography,  which  she  was  extravagantly 
fond  of,  yet  she  could  never  quite  decide  which  country 
she  had  lived  in. 


2         A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Through  those  months  of  journeying  in  the  big  ves- 
sel over  strange  waters,  for  she  had  been  born  in  an 
inland  hamlet  with  a  great  woods  of  hemlock,  spruce, 
and  fir  behind  the  little  cottage,  and  two  or  three  small 
creeks  wandering  about,  she  had  many  strange 
thoughts.  Though  at  first  she  was  quite  ill,  but  Uncle 
Jason  was  the  best  nurse  in  the  world,  and  presently 
she  began  to  run  about  and  get  acquainted.  There 
were  only  a  few  women  passengers.  One  midle-aged, 
with  a  son  sixteen,  who  was  working  his  way ;  a  few 
wives  emigrating  with  their  husbands,  three  women 
friends  who  were  in  the  hope  of  finding  an  easier  life 
and  perhaps  husbands,  though  they  hardly  admitted 
that  to  each  other. 

She  often  sat  in  Uncle  Jason's  lap,  hugged  up  to  his 
breast.  Of  course,  her  mother  had  been  his  sister,  they 
had  settled  upon  that,  and  he  did  not  contradict.  She 
was  lulled  by  the  motion  of  the  vessel  and  often  fell 
asleep,  but  in  her  waking  moments  these  were  the  mem- 
ories that  were  growing  more  vague  and  getting  tan- 
gled up  with  various  things. 

Her  father  had  taught  school  at  South  Berwick  the 
winter  she  could  recall  most  readily,  and  came  home 
on  Saturday  morning,  spending  most  of  the  time  at  the 
store.  Woodville  was  only  a  sort  of  hamlet,  though  it 
had  a  church,  a  school,  and  a  general  store.  Some- 
times he  would  go  back  on  Sunday,  but  oftener  early 
Monday  morning.  Then  late  in  the  summer  he  was 
home  for  a  while,  and  went  away  after  talks  with  her 
mother  that  did  not  always  seem  pleasant.  He  took 
very  little  notice  of  her,  in  her  secret  heart  she  felt 
afraid  of  him,  though  he  was  seldom  really  cross  to 


FROM  MAINE  TO   CALIFORNIA  3 

her.  And  then  he  went  away  and  did  not  appear  again 
until  the  winter,  when  there  seemed  a  great  deal  of 
talking  and  business,  and  he  brought  a  boxful  of 
clothes  for  them,  and  seemed  in  excellent  spirits.  He 
was  in  business  in  Boston,  and  would  move  them  all 
there  at  once,  if  grandmother  would  consent,  but  she 
was  old,  and  had  had  a  stroke,  and  could  not  get  about 
without  a  cane.  The  old  house  was  hers  and  she  would 
finish  out  her  days  there.  Of  course,  then,  her  mother 
could  not  go.  She  had  a  new,  warm  woollen  frock  and 
a  cloak  that  was  the  envy  of  the  other  children,  and 
absolute  city  shoes  that  she  could  only  wear  on  Sunday, 
and,  of  course,  were  presently  outgrown. 

She  studied  up  everything  she  could  concerning  Bos- 
ton, but  her  mother  would  not  talk  about  it.  In  the 
summer,  grandmother  had  another  stroke  and  then  was 
bedridden.  It  was  a  poor  little  village,  and  everybody 
had  hard  work  to  live,  summers  were  especially  busy, 
and  winters  were  long  and  hard.  Grandmother  was 
fretful,  and  wandered  a  little  in  her  mind.  Now  and 
then  a  neighbor  came  in  to  spell  Mrs.  Westbury,  and 
there  was  always  some  mysterious  talking  that  her 
mother  did  not  care  for  her  to  hear.  Grandmother 
lived  more  than  a  year  and  was  a  helpless  burden  at 
the  last.  After  she  had  gone  the  poor  mother  sank 
down,  overwhelmed  with  trouble.  David  Westbury 
had  persuaded  the  old  lady  to  sign  over  the  house  for 
a  business  venture  he  was  to  make  in  Boston  that 
would  put  him  on  the  road  to  fortune.  And  now  it 
was  found  that  he  had  decamped,  that  there  had  been 
no  business  but  speculating,  and  she  no  longer  had  a 
home  for  herself  and  her  child. 


4        A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

They  were  very  poor.  People  bore  straits  bravely  in 
those  days  and  suffered  in  silence.  The  poor  mother 
grew  paler  and  thinner  and  had  a  hard  cough.  In  the 
spring  they  would  be  homeless.  By  spring  she  would 
be — and  what  would  happen  to  the  child!  A  little 
bound-out  girl,  perhaps. 

Laverne  was  not  taken  into  these  sorrowful  con- 
fidences. She  did  not  go  to  school,  her  mother  needed 
to  be  waited  upon.  One  bright  afternoon  she  went  out 
to  skate  on  the  creek.  The  school  children  joined  her, 
and  it  was  almost  dark  when  they  started  for  home. 
The  little  girl's  heart  upbraided  her,  but  she  had  car- 
ried in  the  last  armful  of  wood,  and  had  not  told  her 
mother.  What  would  they  do  to-morrow ! 

She  went  in  hesitatingly.  Oh,  how  good  and  warm 
the  room  felt  and  two  candles  were  burning.  A  man 
sat  beside  the  stove  with  a  sort  of  frank,  bright,  yet 
weather-beaten  face,  a  mop  of  chestnut-colored  hair,  a 
beard  growing  up  to  his  very  mouth,  but  with  the 
brightest  blue  eyes  she  had  ever  seen,  merry  blue  eyes, 
too,  that  looked  as  if  there  was  just  a  twinkle  back  of 
the  lashes. 

"  This  is  my  little  girl,  Laverne,"  said  her  mother. 
"  We  have  always  called  her  Verne,  seeing  there  were 
three  of  the  same  name.  And  this  is  " — the  mother's 
tone  had  a  curious  tremble  in  it,  as  if  she  caught  her 
breath — "  this  is  Uncle  Jason." 

The  first  glance  made  them  friends.  They  both 
smiled.  She  was  like  her  mother  in  the  young  days, 
and  had  the  same  dimple  in  her  cheek,  and  the  one  in 
her  chin  where  the  children  used  to  hold  a  buttercup. 
She  put  out  both  hands.  They  had  been  so  lonely,  so 


FROM  MAINE  TO  CALIFORNIA  5 

poor,  and  she  was  glad  all  over  with  a  strange  feeling, 
just  as  if  they  had  come  to  better  times. 

What  a  supper  they  had!  She  was  very  hungry. 
She  had  been  quite  used  to  eating  bread  and  molasses, 
or  a  little  moist  brown  sugar.  And  here  was  a  great 
chunk  of  butter  on  the  edge  of  her  plate,  and  the  room 
was  fragrant  with  the  smell  of  broiled  ham. 

If  she  had  known  anything  about  fairies  she  would 
have  believed  in  enchantment  at  once.  And  there  was 
part  of  a  splendid  cake,  and  orange  jam,  and  she  could 
hardly  make  it  real.  No  neighbor  had  known  all  their 
straits,  and  the  little  girl  had  borne  them  as  bravely  as 
her  mother.  Then,  so  many  people  had  pinches  in  the 
winter,  for  crops  were  often  poor. 

She  helped  her  mother  with  the  dishes  and  then  she 
sat  down  on  a  stool  beside  Uncle  Jason.  Presently, 
her  head  sank  on  his  knee  and  she  went  fast  asleep. 
She  never  heard  a  word  of  what  her  mother  and  Uncle 
Jason  were  saying. 

At  nine  o'clock  he  carried  her  into  the  bedroom  and 
laid  her  on  the  bed,  and  she  never  woke  up  while  her 
mother  undressed  her.  He  went  over  to  the  store 
where  he  had  bargained  for  a  room.  The  storekeeper, 
Mr.  Lane,  had  been  as  much  surprised  to  see  Mr. 
Chadsey  as  Mrs.  Westbury.  He  had  been  born  in  the 
old  town  and  his  romance  had  blossomed  and  blighted 
here. 

"  Now,  I  tell  you,"  Seth  Lane  said  to  his  wife,  when 
the  store  was  shut  and  they  were  preparing  for  bed, 
"  if  that  scalawag  Westbury  was  dead  there'd  be  a 
weddin'  in  this  town  straight  away.  My,  how  Chadsey 
was  cut  up  over  hearin'  his  mean  villainy  an'  gettin' 


6        A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

hold  of  the  house!  I  never  b'lieved  the  old  woman 
knew  what  she  was  about.  And  Chadsey's  come  back 
in  the  nick  o'  time,  for  I  don't  b'lieve  she'll  go  through 
March." 

Jason  Chadsey  planned  for  their  comfort,  and  went 
to  Boston  the  next  day,  but  could  find  no  trace  of 
David  Westbury,  dead  or  alive. 

As  for  the  little  girl,  when  she  woke  up  in  the  morn- 
ing she  thought  she  had  had  the  loveliest  dream  that 
could  ever  haunt  one.  But  when  she  saw  the  bountiful 
breakfast  she  was  amazed  to  the  last  degree. 

"  Was  Uncle  Jason  really  here  ?  "  she  asked  timidly. 
She  was  quite  sure  her  mother  had  been  crying. 

"  Yes,  dear.  He  has  gone  to  Boston  and  will  be 
back  in  a  few  days.  Oh,  Laverne,  I  hope  you  will 
learn  to  love  him.  Some  day,  when  you  are  older, 
you  will  understand  why  he  came  back,  and  he  will  be 
your  best  friend  when" — when  I  am  gone,  she  was 
about  to  say,  but  checked  herself,  and  substituted  "  all 
your  life.  When  I  was  a  little  girl  he  was  a  kind  and 
generous  big  boy.  Then  he  went  to  sea,  and  was  back 
only  a  few  times.  For  years  I  had  heard  nothing 
from  him — he  has  been  round  the  world,  everywhere. 
And  he  has  a  big,  tender  heart-1 " 

"  Oh,  I  am  sure  I  shall  be  glad  to  love  him.  Why, 
you  seem  to  go  right  to  his  heart ; "  and  the  child's 
face  glowed  with  enthusiasm. 

"  Yes,  yes."  She  began  to  cough  and  sat  down 
suddenly,  putting  her  handkerchief  to  her  mouth. 

"  The  salt,  quick,  Verne,"  she  gasped. 

She  lay  on  the  old  wooden  settee  and  stuffed  her 
mouth  full  of  salt. 


FROM  MAINE  TO   CALIFORNIA  7 

"  Oh,  what  can  I  do?  "  cried  the  child,  in  mild  alarm. 

"Run  for  Aunt  Cynthy  Beers.  Tell  her  to  come 
quick." 

The  neighbor,  who  was  the  village  nurse,  came  back 
with  the  child.  Then  she  was  despatched  for  the  doc- 
tor. He  shook  his  head  gravely. 

"  Doctor,  you  must  keep  me  alive  a  little  while 
longer,"  she  pleaded. 

"  Oh,  you  are  good  for  some  time  yet,  only  you  must 
not  make  the  slightest  exertion.  Cynthy,  how  long 
can  you  stay  ?  " 

"  Ten  days  or  so.  Then  I  have  to  go  over  on  the 
Creek,"  she  answered  laconically. 

"  That  will  do."  Then  he  gave  sundry  charges  to 
Miss  Beers,  and  left  the  remedies  she  was  to  use,  but 
that  lady  knew  what  was  meant. 

Mrs.  Westbury  beckoned  the  nurse  to  her  when  he 
had  gone. 

"  Don't  tell  Laverne,"  she  said.  "  Don't  say  any- 
thing about " 

"  That's  cruel.  Why,  she  ought  to  know  and  be 
prepared." 

"  No,  no ;  I  will  not  have  a  word  said.  I  cannot 
explain,  no  one  can.  And  if  she  took  it  hard,  don't  you 
see,  it  would  drive  me  wild  and  shorten  my  days.  I'm 
all  worn  out.  And  she  will  be  provided  for." 

Everybody  was  kind  and  solicitous,  sending  in 
cooked  food,  offering  to  sit  up  at  night,  but  Miss  Beers 
was  equal  to  all  demands.  The  sick  woman  really  did 
improve.  Laverne  hovered  about  her  mother,  read  to 
her  out  of  her  geography  and  Peter  Parley's  history, 
as  well  as  the  sweetest  hymns  out  of  the  hymn  book. 


8        A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Jimmy  Cox  came  over  and  did  the  chores,  provided 
the  wood,  took  Verne  out  on  his  sled,  and  the  days 
passed  along.  Jason  Chadsey  returned,  Miss  Beers 
had  to  go  her  way,  and  a  neighbor  came  in  to  do  what 
was  needed.  One  day,  before  the  minister  and  the 
Squire,  she  gave  her  child  to  Jason  Chadsey,  who 
promised  to  care  for  her  and  educate  her,  and  keep  her 
from  all  harm. 

"  You  both  know  that  I  loved  her  mother  and  would 
gladly  have  married  her  in  the  old  days,  but  untoward 
fate  intervened.  I  could  find  no  trace  of  the  child's 
father.  She  has  no  near  relatives  to  care  for  her,  so 
I  shall  be  father  to  her,  and  Heaven  may  judge  me  at 
the  last." 

He  was  holding  the  child  on  his  knee  that  evening, 

"  You  are  to  be  my  little  girl  always,"  he  said,  with 
tender  solemnity.  "  You  shall  be  made  happy  as  a 
little  bird.  And  if  you  will  only  love  me " 

"  Oh,  I  shall,  I  do.  And  will  you  stay  here  ?  Mother 
will  be  so  glad.  She  was  longing  so  to  have  you  come 
back.  You  will  never  go  away  again  ?  " 

"  Never  from  you,  my  little  girl ;  "  and  he  kissed  the 
child's  trust  into  perfect  belief. 

There  were  two  more  alarms,  then  the  frail  life  went 
out  peacefully.  The  child  was  stunned.  It  had 
seemed  right  for  grandmother  to  leave  a  world  that  she 
was  forgetting  about,  but  Laverne  could  not  under- 
stand all  the  mystery.  Her  mother  had  always  been 
quiet  and  reserved,  it  was  the  fashion  in  those  days, 
and  the  child  could  not  miss  the  things  she  had  never 
had.  And  neither  could  she  ever  have  understood  her 
sorrow  over  the  great  mistake  in  giving  her  such  a 


FROM  MAINE  TO  CALIFORNIA  9 

father.  But  Heaven  had  helped  her  to  make  amends, 
for  the  child  was  the  embodiment  of  her  own  youth. 
It  was  all  she  had  and  she  gave  it  to  the  man  who  had 
loved  her  sincerely,  glad  and  thankful  that  she  was  not 
to  be  left  to  the  uncertain  charity  of  the  world. 

The  frightened  child  clung  very  closely  to  him.  The 
worn  furniture  and  bedding  were  distributed  among 
the  neighbors,  a  few  keepsakes  collected,  a  few  good- 
bys  said,  and  good  wishes  given,  and  they  went  first  to 
Boston  and  then  to  New  York.  Then  they  were  to 
go  to  the  wonderful  land  of  gold  and  sunshine,  Cali- 
fornia. They  found  it  on  the  map.  And  there  was 
the  long,  long  sail,  and  the  little  girl  was  going  far 
away  from  the  only  sorrow  of  her  life,  that  was  so 
strangely  mingled  with  the  only  dear  love.  For  while 
the  other  had  been  hedged  about  with  the  severe  train- 
ing of  the  times,  afraid  of  sinfulness  in  indulging  in 
what  was  called  carnal  affections,  even  in  loving  a  child, 
now  she  had  the  utmost  tenderness  lavished  upon 
her.  She  had  no  one  but  him,  and  that  was  a  contin- 
ual joy  and  kept  his  heart  at  high  tide.  She  was  all 
his. 

Later  she  was  to  know  about  the  young  love  between 
them,  and  how  when  her  mother  was  just  fifteen  he 
had  shipped  for  three  years  aboard  a  merchantman. 
They  had  sailed  about  the  Eastern  seas,  bought  and 
sold,  and  at  last  started  for  home,  to  be  wrecked,  and 
nearly  all  had  perished.  Of  the  few  saved  there  were 
no  tidings  of  Jason  Chadsey.  Laverne  waited  and 
hoped  and  came  to  her  twentieth  birthday.  David 
Westbury  was  considered  a  smart  young  man.  He  had 
been  a  clerk  in  a  store,  he  had  worked  on  a  newspaper, 


io       A  LITTLE   GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  taught  school,  and  could  turn  his  hand  to  a  good 
many  things.  He  had  a  smooth  tongue,  too,  and  a 
certain  polish  in  his  manner  above  the  country  youths. 
Grandmother  espoused  his  cause  at  once,  Jason  Chad- 
sey  was  dead,  lovers  were  not  so  plentiful  in  these 
small  places,  where  the  enterprising  young  men  went 
away.  It  was  hard  to  stand  out  against  one's  own 
mother,  and  all  the  years  to  come  to  be  taunted  as  an 
old  maid.  And  so  Laverne  married  David  Westbury, 
and  when  her  little  girl  was  a  month  old  he  came  back 
not  altogether  penniless,  but  it  was  too  late. 

He  had  roamed  about  the  world  a  good  deal.  He 
had  made  money,  and  spent  it  freely,  lost  some  of  it, 
helped  friends  in  distress.  Now,  he  was  going  out  to 
that  wonderful  land  that  had  been  the  dream  of  the  Span- 
iard, and  another  nation  had  brought  the  dream  true. 
He  would  visit  the  little  old  village  once  more,  and  see 
how  it  had  fared  with  his  early  love  and  his  old  friends, 
and  then  say  good-bye  forever.  And  knowing  she  was 
near  to  death,  Laverne  Westbury  told  him  her  sad 
story,  and  he  read  between  the  broken  sentences  that 
he  had  been  her  early  love,  her  only  love. 

So  they  whiled  the  time  away,  the  man's  dreams 
growing  more  vivid,  the  child's  fading.  They  passed 
strange  countries,  there  were  seas  of  peerless  blue,  seas 
of  emerald  green,  then  strange  colors  commingled. 
There  were  cloudless  skies  and  broad  sheets  of  sun- 
shine that  seemed  to  envelop  the  whole  world  in  a 
blaze ;  there  were  nights  of  such  glowing  stars  as  one 
seldom  sees  on  land,  there  were  gray  days  with  sullen 
winds,  and  storms  that  sent  a  thrill  to  the  stoutest 
hearts,  when  the  vessel  groaned  and  creaked  and  the 


FROM  MAINE  TO   CALIFORNIA  IZ 

women  cried  in  terror.  But  Laverne  only  crept  closer 
in  Uncle  Jason's  arms  and  felt  safe. 

They  stopped  here  and  there  at  a  port,  places  they 
hunted  up  on  the  map,  cities  that  seemed  marvels  to 
the  little  girl,  shores  with  waving  blooming  forests 
and  almost  steaming  fragrance.  Strange  birds,  strange 
many-hued  fish,  darting  hither  and  thither,  seaweed 
that  in  the  sunshine  looked  like  masses  of  bloom,  or 
living  things  swimming  about.  Curious  people,  too, 
speaking  languages  no  little  girl  could  understand,  then 
leaving  the  warmth,  and  shivering  with  blasts  of  cold 
air,  wonderful  islands  and  capes  jutting  out — some 
bleak  and  bare  and  rocky,  others  shining  in  verdure  and 
waving  smiles  of  welcome,  it  seemed;  going  safely 
round  the  Horn  with  half  their  journey  done  and  find- 
ing more  wonders,  great  mountain  ranges,  shores 
thickly  studded  with  islands,  natives  swimming  about 
like  fishes,  queer,  half  ruinous  old  Spanish  towns,  and 
when  they  stopped  at  a  port,  such  a  clatter  of  tongues, 
such  a  screaming  of  voices,  such  a  confusion,  one  was 
glad  to  get  out  of  it  to  lovely,  enchanting  peace  once 
more. 

Warmer  grew  the  air  with  a  languorous,  permeating 
fragrance.  Moonlight  silvering  the  water  that  leaped 
softly  up  and  down  as  if  playing  hide  and  seek  with 
the  next  wave.  All  the  boundless  space  lighted  with 
it,  going  round  the  world,  swelling,  decreasing,  a 
golden  crescent,  then  a  pale  gibbous  thing  and  after- 
ward darkness  when  the  ship  crept  softly  along. 

If  one  came  in  near  the  shore  it  was  like  the  blast  of  a 
furnace.  Then,  passing  the  equator  with  the  queer 
ceremony  among  the  sailors,  and  looking  across  at  the 


12      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

little  neck  of  land  joining  the  two  countries,  past  Cen- 
tral America,  which  the  little  girl  insisted  made  three 
Americas.  She  had  listened  to  the  tales  of  the  early 
explorers  and  their  cruel  lust  for  gold  until  she  had 
shuddered. 

"  Uncle  Jason,  are  you  going  for  gold  in  California, 
and  will  the  people  murder  whole  nations  and  rob 
them?  I  would  rather  not  have  the  gold." 

"  No,  my  little  girl ;  and  the  country  that  has  the 
gold  belongs  to  us.  But  it  has  many  other  delightful 
things  as  well.  It  is  not  like  bleak  Maine." 

"  What  a  strange  journey  it  has  been,  and  oh,  how 
beautiful  most  of  the  time.  I  do  not  believe  I  shall 
ever  be  afraid  of  storms  again." 

"  You  have  made  a  most  excellent  sailor.  It  will 
seem  queer  to  be  on  land  again.  You  will  keep  your 
sea  legs  for  some  time  to  come." 

"  Sea  legs  ?  "     She  laughed  inquiringly. 

"  The  faculty  one  acquires  of  walking  with  the  roll 
of  the  ship.  Sailors  always  do  it  on  land.  And  you 
will  see  that  you  have  an  inclination  to  go  from  side  to 
side  as  if  the  street  was  hardly  wide  enough ;  "  and  he 
looked  at  her  out  of  humorous  eyes. 

He  had  a  way  of  nearly  shutting  one  eye,  which 
gave  an  absolutely  funny  expression  to  his  face.  He 
had  buffeted  so  many  storms  and  narrow  escapes  that 
he  looked  fully  ten  years  beyond  his  age,  which  was 
but  thirty-five.  He  had  a  tall,  vigorous  frame,  with  a 
little  stoop  in  the  shoulders  and  a  way  of  sitting  down 
all  in  a  heap.  The  little  girl  told  him  he  made  a  cave 
for  her  to  sit  in.  Every  day  she  loved  him  more  dearly, 
and  to  him  she  was  the  one  thing  that  brightened  his 


FROM  MAINE  TO  CALIFORNIA  13 

way  and  gave  him  new  aims.  He  had  been  going  to 
California  simply  to  see  a  strange  and  new  land.  He 
had  not  been  won  by  the  wonderful  tales  of  gold,  he 
had  cared  very  little  for  wealth.  But  now  he  would 
make  a  fortune  for  her  and  have  it  so  safely  invested 
that  she  should  not  come  to  want  if  she  lived  to  be 
old.  He  could  never  forget  the  afternoon  he  had 
come  to  Laverne  Westbury's  home,  that  she  had  been 
warned  to  leave  in  the  spring,  and  found  her 
almost  on  the  verge  of  starvation,  too  proud  to  keep 
asking  charity,  worn  out  and  disheartened,  with  only 
the  county  house  looming  before  her.  Little  Verne 
should  never  know  this,  never  suffer  as  her  mother 
had  done. 

And  this  was  one  reason  he  led  her  thoughts  away 
from  the  old  life.  She  was  too  young  to  know  that  he 
had  loved  her  mother,  she  took  the  relationship  for 
granted.  And  even  on  the  long  voyage  there  had  been 
so  much  to  entertain  her.  The  only  child  on  board, 
and  a  winsome  one  at  that,  she  had  been  a  universal 
favorite ;  and  Jason  Chadsey  hardly  less  so.  The  trio, 
as  the  three  single  women  had  been  dubbed,  though 
the  married  ones  often  said  "  the  old  maids,"  after  a 
little,  established  very  friendly  relations  with  Mr.  Chad- 
sey. Miss  Holmes  was  past  thirty,  and  had  worn  her- 
self almost  out  teaching  school.  A  sea  voyage  had 
been  prescribed  to  avoid  consumption,  that  scourge  of 
the  eastern  towns.  She  had  gained  in  health  and 
strength,  and  certainly  in  looks.  When  she  found  the 
little  girl  and  her  uncle  poring  over  their  old  map,  she 
brought  out  some  of  her  school  books,  to  Laverne's 
great  delight.  Among  them  was  the  story  of  the  Ar- 


•I4      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

gonauts  that  caught  the  young  imagination,  and  even 
Dick  Folsom  became  interested  in  the  various  explorers 
who  had  dreamed  of  gold  and  of  the  straight  route  to 
China.  Miss  Gaines  had  been  a  dressmaker  until  a 
troublesome  pain  in  her  side  warned  her  to  seek  a 
different  occupation,  and  Miss  Alwood  had  kept  house, 
done  nursing,  and  they  had  planned  to  make  better 
fortunes  in  the  new  country,  where  there  were  fewer 
women.  Mrs.  Dawson  was  going  out  to  meet  her 
husband,  who  had  been  among  the  "  Forty-miners,"  and 
now  kept  a  sort  of  lodging  ranch,  that  with  her  help 
could  be  transformed  into  a  regular  hotel,  much  in 
demand  at  that  time. 

And  so  they  had  made  quite  a  little  colony  on  ship- 
board. Slowly  they  came  up  the  Pacific  Coast,  past 
the  long  peninsula  of  Southern  California,  and  there, 
fairly  in  sight,  was  the  Golden  Gate. 


CHAPTER  II 

OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

WAS  it  any  wonder  the  old  explorers  missed  the  nar- 
row outlet  from  the  great  bay  when  the  hills  from  the 
farther  shore  cast  a  great  gloomy  shadow,  and  dreary 
rocks  flanked  the  shore,  inhabited  by  cormorants  and 
auks  and  gulls,  screaming  out  their  discordant  music? 
What  if  the  tide  did  run  out  sweeping  like  a  torrent — 
were  they  going  to  breast  the  danger  back  of  it  ?  Was 
the  great  rocky  point  worth  their  consideration?  In 
the  islands  off  the  shore  seals  and  sea  lions  had  it  all 
their  own  way  and  basked  and  frolicked  in  the  sunshine. 
It  had  changed  then,  in  the  early  fifties,  but  half  a 
century  has  almost  forgotten  the  bareness  of  it  then. 
And  yet  it  was  magnificent  in  the  October  sunset  as 
the  old  ship  made  its  way,  puffing  from  the  strains  of 
its  long  journey.  They  had  nearly  all  huddled  on  deck 
to  view  their  land  of  promise.  There  are  few  enthu- 
siastic emigrants  now,  everything  is  viewed  with  com- 
mercial eyes.  Afar  to  the  westward  stretched  the  mag- 
nificent ocean,  a  sheet  of  billowy  ranges  tipped  with 
molten  gold,  changing  to  a  hundred  iridescent  tints 
and  throwing  up  the  gold  again  in  prodigal  fashion, 
sweeping  it  over  to  foreign  seas.  And,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  mile-wide  gap,  the  gateway  to  the  wonderful 
land,  tranquil  enough  now,  with  frowning  rocks  like 

15 


16      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

the  cave  of  Scylla  on  the  one  hand,  that  was  to  be 
transformed  into  a  wonderful  city.  They  are  piloted 
through  to  the  great  magnificent  bay  that  seems  endless 
at  the  fir%t  glance  of  its  seventy  miles.  Northward 
long  lines  of  rolling  hills,  purple  and  blue  and  black, 
with  glints  of  the  setting  sun  fighting  the  shadows  like 
some  strange  old  gods  with  their  fire-tipped  arrows. 
At  the  south  it  fades  into  misty  dreamland.  Red  Rock 
stands  up  defiant.  And  so  they  look  at  their  new 
country  and  then  at  each  other.  There  is  shipping  at 
the  rude  wharves,  and  they  find  a  place  to  anchor, 
but  it  is  too  late  to  look  for  a  home  and  so  they  make 
themselves  content.  But  if  they  thought  they  were 
coming  to  great  space,  and  semi-loneliness  they  were 
mistaken  and  confused  by  the  noise  and  tumult,  the 
crowds,  the  bustle  of  business,  the  people  of  all  coun- 
tries it  seemed. 

"  Why,  I  had  no  idea,"  the  women  said  to  one  an- 
other. "  The  place  must  be  overcrowded." 

What  chance  was  there  then  for  women  who  had 
come  to  seek  their  fortunes? 

They  soon  found  that  San  Francisco  was  the  stop- 
ping place  of  nearly  every  nation,  and  yet  there  was 
room  for  more,  and  work  for  those  willing  to  do  it. 

Mr.  Dawson  came  down  to  meet  his  wife  the  next 
morning,  and  was  made  acquainted  with  the  little  party 
that  had  become  such  friends  in  their  long  journey. 

"  We  can  take  some  of  you  in  if  you  will  accept  the 
accommodations,"  he  said  cordially.  "  They  might  be 
worse,"  with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders.  "  Luckily,  I 
escaped  being  burnt  out.  Will  you  come  and  take  a 
view  of  our  town  ?  " 


OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO  17 

What  an  odd  place  it  was,  built  on  the  hills  like 
Rome.  On  the  ocean  side  great  frowning  rocks  that 
suggested  fortresses.  At  the  extreme  end,  the  highest 
of  hills,  the  city  began,  and  it  spread  out  over  little 
valleys  and  other  hills,  sloping  to  the  busy,  beautiful 
bay.  And  it  seemed  right  in  the  heart  of  it  lay  devas- 
tation, debris  and  ashes.  Hundreds  of  men  were  clear- 
ing, laying  foundations  again,  rearing  new  struc- 
tures. 

"  It  was  an  awful  fire,"  explained  their  guide.  "  We 
had  thought  fireproof  bricks  and  iron-bound  structures 
would  at  least  stay  the  devastating  hand  of  destruction, 
and  even  that  proved  useless.  But  for  the  loss  one 
might  have  enjoyed  the  magnificent  spectacle  of  the 
immense  fiery  field.  The  fierce  roar  of  the  flames, 
the  shouts  and  shrieks  of  the  flying  people,  the  glowing 
crackling  mass  sending  spires  up  to  the  very  sky,  it 
seemed,  was  something  we  shall  never  forget.  It  was 
said  to  have  been  visible  a  hundred  miles  away." 

The  ruins  were  startling  even  now.  Then  the  party 
turned,  crossed  Market  Street  and  came  into  Spear 
Street.  Here  there  was  a  rambling  frame  building 
that  had  been  added  to  several  times,  two  stories  for 
the  most  part,  but  a  long  ell  of  only  one  story.  The 
main  end  bore  the  name  of  "  Dawson  House."  It 
was  not  a  hotel,  and  had  no  bar,  that  usual  accom- 
paniment. Round  in  the  next  street,  Mr.  Dawson  had 
a  clubhouse  that  supplied  this  want,  and  all  games  of 
chance,  but  this  place  was  of  the  better  sort. 

The  Farnsworths  had  gone  to  friends  only  a  few 
squares  from  the  wharf.  Mr.  Dawson  made  friends 
at  once  with  young  Folsom  and  offered  him  a  position. 


i8      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  I'm  in  for  the  gold  fields,"  he  declared  with  boyish 
eagerness. 

"  You'd  better  consider  a  day  or  two,"  suggested 
his  mother. 

"  And  I'll  take  the  mother,  too,  if  she  is  as  good  a 
housekeeper  as  she  looks  to  be,"  Mr.  Dawson  subjoined 
laughingly.  "  If  I  don't,  young  fellow,  some  man  will 
snap  your  mother  up  before  you'll  have  a  chance  to 
see  the  color  of  his  eyes." 

"  Well,  here  are  four  husbandless  women,"  she  re- 
torted gayly.  "  He  could  have  a  choice." 

They  were  ushered  into  a  spacious  room  with  a 
painted  floor  and  nondescript  furnishing.  In  one 
corner  was  a  large  desk  at  which  sat  a  clerk.  This 
opened  into  a  dining  room,  in  which  the  long 
table  was  seldom  without  a  guest.  Several  were 
seated  there  now.  On  the  other  side  were  two 
smaller  rooms  tolerably  well  furnished,  one  a  sleep- 
ing chamber. 

"  You'll  find  we're  suffering  from  the  want  of 
woman's  hands  and  woman's  wit.  I  could  hardly  be- 
lieve my  wife  had  consented  to  come.  You  see  those 
who  are  worth  anything  are  soon  offered  homes  of 

their  own,  and  the  others "  He  made  a  peculiar 

little  gesture,  that  elicited  a  shrewd  smile  from  Jason 
Chadsey. 

It  was  comforting  to  find  a  place  of  refuge  so  soon, 
they  all  thought.  On  the  second  floor  were  lodging 
rooms  for  the  better  class.  The  ell  was  fitted  up  with 
rows  of  bunks,  and  there  was  seldom  a  vacancy  by  mid- 
night. 

Laverne  kept  tight  hold  of  Uncle  Jason's  hand,  and 


OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO  19 

when  Mr.  Dawson  smiled  over  to  her,  half  hid  her  face 
on  Uncle  Jason's  ample  frame. 

"  Are  we  all  going  to  live  here  ?  "  she  asked  in  a  low 
tone. 

"  For  a  little  while,  I  think.  We  would  not  want 
to  go  away  alone.  And  there  must  be  some  one  to 
keep  the  house  when  I  get  one." 

"  But  you  know  that  I  helped  mother,  oh,  for  a 
long  while.  Sometimes  I  chopped  up  the  wood.  And 
in  the  autumn  I  dug  the  potatoes  and  husked  the  corn, 
but  we  had  to  kill  the  poor  hens,  after  all,"  and  she 
sighed.  "  I  swept  up  the  house,  too.  Oh,  I  can  do  a 
great  many  things." 

He  took  the  slim  little  hand  in  his  and  tried  to  smile 
over  her  eagerness,  but  his  heart  ached  as  he  thought 
of  her  mother,  and  the  hardships  he  could  not  save. 

"  Will  it  be  winter  soon  ?  "  she  inquired. 

"  Not  a  Maine  winter,  my  child.  I  believe  there 
is  no  real  winter/' 

"  Everything  looks  queer  and  dried  up,  yet  it  isn't 
cold.  And  what  a  great  city,  it  is  almost  as  large  as 
New  York." 

He  laughed  at  that,  then  he  was  grave  a  moment. 
"  It  may  be  as  great,  some  day.  The  Pacific  will  be  a 
big  rival  to  the  Atlantic." 

"  To  think  we  are  clear  over  here !  Why  don't  they 
build  a  railroad — just  so?  "  and  she  made  a  mark  with 
her  small  finger. 

"  No  doubt  that  will  come  also." 

They  made  arrangements  about  staying  for  the  pres- 
ent. It  seemed  queer  to  the  child  that  the  friend  she 
had  known  so  long  should  be  Mr.  Dawson's  wife.  Al- 


20       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

ready  she  was  giving  some  orders  and  telling  what  she 
wanted  done,  and  did  not  seem  a  bit  afraid  of  the  portly 
man  who  could  speak  so  sharply  to  the  Chinese  serv- 
ants. 

Laverne  thought  them  very  odd.  She  had  only  seen 
pictures  of  them  before.  They  walked  so  softly  in 
their  pointed  slippers,  and  looked  a  little  like  women  in 
their  loose  blue  shirts  with  hanging  sleeves.  The  long 
queue  twisted  around  their  heads,  and  their  slanting 
eyes  seemed  weird  enough. 

She  saw  many  other  queer  people  in  their  walk  back 
to  the  boat.  Uncle  Jason  thought  it  too  long,  but  she 
pleaded  so  to  go.  There  were  other  curious  dark-eyed 
and  dark-skinned  men,  small  and  bright  Japanese  she 
came  to  know,  and  tall  Spaniards  in  picturesque  attire 
with  handsome  sashes  about  their  waists ;  Indians,  too, 
and  a  group  of  squaws  girt  about  with  blankets,  two 
carrying  their  babies  on  their  backs,  and  these  made  her 
think  of  the  Maine  clear  across  the  continent,  for  you 
occasionally  saw  them  there. 

The  old  vessel  seemed  almost  like  home  to  her. 
They  gathered  up  their  luggage  and  that  belonging  to 
the  ladies  and  ordered  it  sent  to  the  Dawson  House. 
Then  they  went  up  on  Telegraph  Hill,  and  half  the 
world  seemed  spread  out  before  them.  The  sun  was 
shining  in  well-nigh  blinding  brilliancy.  There  was 
the  narrow  passageway  that  hardly  looked  its  real 
width,  there  was  the  northern  peninsula,  Mount  Tamal- 
pais,  Belvidere,  Sausalito,  and  all  the  places  she  was 
to  come  to  know  so  well.  And  there  over  the  bay  were 
the  low  spurs  of  the  Coast  Range,  at  whose  feet  were 
to  spring  up  towns  and  cities.  The  bay  looked  to  her 


OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO  21 

like  a  smaller  ocean.  But  boats  were  plying  back  and 
forth.  And  they  could  see  the  other  hills  about,  and 
the  town  spreading  here  and  there  outside  of  the 
burned  district. 

Suddenly  she  said  she  was  very  tired,  and  her  steps 
lagged  a  little.  Uncle  Jason  would  have  been  glad  to 
carry  her,  he  had  occasionally  carried  greater  burdens 
in  times  of  peril,  but  that  would  be  hardly  admissible, 
they  were  going  downhill  too,  which  was  easier. 
She  had  not  seen  all  the  strange  people  yet,  for  they 
met  a  group  of  Portuguese  sailors  with  big  hoop  ear- 
rings, who  were  gesticulating  fiercely,  and  some  Rus- 
sians with  high  caps  and  black,  bushy  beards.  She 
was  glad  she  had  studied  so  much  geography  on  ship- 
board, and  she  began  to  feel  quite  wise  about  different 
countries. 

When  she  reached  their  present  home  she  begged 
that  she  might  go  to  bed.  She  did  not  want  to  eat 
even  a  tempting  bit  of  cake.  Mrs.  Dawson  took  her 
into  her  room  and  put  a  pillow  on  the  lounge,  and 
while  the  others  talked  and  planned  she  slept 
soundly. 

"  What  a  pretty  child  she  is,"  Mr.  Dawson  said. 
"  You  will  have  to  watch  her  closely  that  no  one  steals 
her." 

"  Oh !  "  Uncle  Jason  said  thoughtfully.  But  in  this 
wild,  bustling  life  few  would  want  to  be  burdened  with 
a  child  not  belonging  to  them. 

When  Laverne  woke  there  was  a  queer,  rushing, 
rustling  sound,  and  it  was  dark  like  twilight.  Where 
was  she?  What  was  happening?  Then  she  sprang 
up  and  remembered.  The  ladies  were  talking  in  the 


92       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

next  room.  Oh,  it  rained  and  the  wind  seemed  blow- 
ing a  gale. 

"  Oh,  what  a  nice  sleep  you  have  had ! "  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Dawson.  "  And  now  you  must  be  hungry,  though 
we  shall  have  dinner  in  a  very  short  time.  You  look 
rested/'  and  she  smiled  cheerfully. 

"  Yes,  I  am.  I  don't  know  what  made  me  so  tired." 
She  had  not  climbed  a  hill  in  a  long  while. 

"  We  didn't  have  any  hills  to  climb  on  shipboard,  and 
in  all  these  months  we  did  get  out  of  practice,"  said 
Miss  Holmes.  "  I  was  tired  as  well.  And  now  the 
rainy  season  has  begun,  and  Mr.  Dawson  has  been  say- 
ing that  in  a  week  or  two  the  country  will  look  like 
spring." 

"  And  won't  there  be  any  winter  ?  Though  I  don't 
like  winter  very  much,"  she  added  naively.  "  Only  the 
sledding  and  skating." 

"  I  shouldn't  care  to  live  in  Maine,"  and  Miss  Gaines 
gave  a  little  shiver.  "  All  my  life  I  have  longed  for  a 
warm  winter  climate.  And  if  this  doesn't  suit,  I  shall 
go  further  south." 

"  You  women  without  husbands  are  very  independ- 
ent," laughed  Mrs.  Dawson. 

"  You  certainly  can  go  where  you  like  if  you  have 
money  enough  to  take  you  there,"  was  the  reply. 
"  Verne,  come  sit  here  and  tell  me  if  you  like  San 
Francisco  as  well  as  the  ship  and  the  voyage." 

"  It's  queer  and  such  lots  of  queer  people,  and  how 
they  can  understand  each  other  I  can't  see,  for  they 
all  seem  to  talk  different.  I'd  rather  not  live  on  a  ship 
all  my  life." 

"  Then  do  not  marry  a  sea  captain.     But  your  uncle 


OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO  23 

may  take  a  fancy  to  go  to  China  or  Japan.  It  is  not  so 
far  from  here.  Grace,  have  you  written  any  letters 
this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  No,"  replied  Miss  Alwood.  "  I  think  my  friends 
will  not  be  immediately  alarmed." 

"  And  this  little  girl  has  left  no  relatives  behind,  I 
heard  her  uncle  say.  Haven't  you  any  cousins  ?  " 

"  My  mother  had  no  brothers  or  sisters."  Then  she 
remembered  how  little  she  had  ever  heard  about  her 
father. 

Mrs.  Dawson  brushed  her  hair  and  they  were  sum- 
moned to  dinner.  They  had  the  upper  end  of  the  table. 
Two  other  women  came  in  with  their  husbands. 
There  were  some  Spaniards  among  the  men,  and  a  few 
very  dark,  peculiar-looking  people.  There  was  a  great 
deal  of  talking  in  tongues  unknown  to  the  little  girl, 
but  some  of  the  voices  had  a  soft,  musical  sound. 

The  little  girl  was  really  hungry  and  enjoyed  her 
dinner.  Afterward  most  of  the  party  played  cards. 
The  other  lodgers  were  of  the  commoner  sort,  had  a 
dining  room  to  themselves,  and  generally  sallied  out  in 
the  evening.  Fights  were  not  infrequent  and  the 
harmless  phases  of  games  degenerated  into  gambling. 

Miss  Holmes  had  not  mastered  the  art  even  on  the 
long  voyage.  She  took  Laverne  under  her  wing 
now. 

"  You  and  I  will  have  to  learn  Spanish,"  she  said. 
"  Once  Spain  owned  all  this  country." 

"  And  will  we  have  to  learn  all  the  other  talk  ?  I 
know  some  Indian  words,  there  were  two  old  Indian 
women  in  our  town,  and  in  the  summer  some  of  the 
tribes  would  come  down.  But  Chinese — that  funny 


24      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

reading  that  comes  on  tea  chests "  and  a  knot  gath- 
ered in  her  forehead. 

"We  will  not  take  Chinese  the  first.  I  have  a 
friend  who  went  out  as  a  missionary  and  who  can  talk 
it  fluently.  But  all  down  along  the  coast  it  is  settled 
by  Spaniards,  and  they  were  in  South  America,  you 
know,  and  it  seems  as  if  half  the  people  here  were  talk- 
ing it.  Then  it  is  a  stately  and  beautiful  lan- 
guage. You  know  you  learned  some  French  on  ship- 
board." 

"  And  there  are  so  many  things  to  learn.  There 
were  so  few  in  our  little  place.  They  spun  and  knit 
and  sewed,  and  you  made  bed  quilts  in  case  you  were 
married.  Mother  had  two  she  had  never  used,  and  a 
great  counterpane  grandmother  had  knit." 

"Yes.  It  is  a  pity  they  couldn't  have  been  saved 
for  you.  I  have  a  chest  of  heirlooms  stored  in  the 
house  of  a  cousin  at  Dorchester,  and  some  Revolution- 
ary relics.  My  grandfather  fought  in  the  war.  And 
I  have  left  them  all  behind." 

Miss  Holmes  gave  a  little  sighing  laugh.  She  could 
not  tell  whether  she  was  glad  or  sorry  that  she  had 
taken  this  long  journey  to  a  strange  land. 

"What  did  Spain  want  of  America?"  queried  the 
little  girl. 

"  Oh,  don't  you  remember  how  they  came  to  Mexico 
for  the  gold.  There  was  Pizarro  and  Cortez " 

"And  poor  Montezuma  in  South  America.  Are 
there  any  real  gold  mines  here  ?  " 

"  Not  just  in  the  town." 

"  Then  no  one  will  come  and  fight  us  and  take  the 
gold  away,"  she  said  with  a  sigh  of  relief. 


OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO  25 

Uncle  Jason  gave  a  dry  smile.  There  was  fighting 
enough,  he  had  found  already. 

"  Would  you  care  for  the  gold  ?  "  The  child  raised 
soft,  inquiring  eyes. 

"  Why,  yes ;  I  should  like  to  have  a  share  of  it.  But 
I  do  not  think  I  shall  go  and  work  in  the  mines." 

"  Did  they  fight  very  much  at  the  fort.  And  who 
did  they  drive  away?"  she  asked  in  a  rather  awe- 
stricken  voice. 

"  Oh,  my  child,  they  did  not  fight  at  all.  The  coun- 
try belonged  to  us.  The  gold  was  free  for  any  one 
willing  to  mine.  We  shall  see  the  men  coming  in  with 
their  bags  of  gold  dust  and  nuggets,  and  though  they 
may  talk  fiercely  and  quarrel,  they  need  not  disturb 
us,"  and  Miss  Holmes  smiled  reassuringly. 

"  Uncle  Jason  will  not  go,"  she  said  confidently, 
after  quite  a  pause.  Then  she  glanced  over  to  him  and 
smiled,  and  was  answered  in  return. 

He  lost  that  trick  and  the  next  and  Mrs.  Dawson 
won  his  money.  It  did  well  enough  to  p/ay  for  fun  on 
shipboard,  the  captain  had  strictly  forbidden  gambling, 
but  here  one  would  not  dream  of  such  a  thing.  The 
stakes  were  not  high,  however. 

He  was  thinking  of  his  little  girl  and  whether  he  had 
done  wisely  to  bring  her  here.  He  had  planned 
this  journey  before  he  knew  whether  the  little  girl 
was  dead  or  alive;  at  any  rate  he  had  supposed  she 
would  be  in  the  keeping  of  her  own  father.  And  the 
pitiful  story  of  the  woman  he  had  loved,  and  would 
have  slaved  for  had  she  been  his,  had  roused  all  the 
chivalrous  feelings  of  his  nature.  And  that  she  should 
give  him  the  child  who  had  her  smile  and  her  soft,  ap- 


26      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

pealing  voice,  and  the  pretty  eagerness  that  had 
cropped  out  now  and  then,  though  it  was  the  fashion 
to  repress  it,  seemed  so  wonderful  and  so  sacred  to 
him,  and  occupied  so  much  of  his  thoughts  that  he 
never  dreamed  of  altering  his  plans,  or  whether  they 
would  be  best  for  her.  Everything  was  so  different, 
such  a  hurly-burly,  that  he  wondered  if  a  little  girl 
could  be  brought  up  clean  and  wholesome  and  happy. 
A  touch  of  uncertainty  was  creeping  through  every 
nerve.  A  man's  life  was  so  different.  And  there 
must  be  some  one  to  guard  her  since  he  had  to  make 
the  fortune  for  her.  Would  Miss  Holmes  do  ?  They 
had  become  great  friends.  Then  Miss  Holmes  had 
the  Eastern  refinement  and  uprightness. 

He  had  not  counted  on  sharing  her  with  any  one, 
his  ideas  had  been  vague  and  impractical  and  he  would 
have  to  remodel  them. 

"  Upon  my  word,  I  never  knew  you  to  play  so 
poorly,"  laughed  Mrs.  Dawson  teasingly ;  "  I  believe 
you  are  half  asleep." 

"  I  think  that  must  be  it.  I  am  a  landlubber  to- 
night, so  I  beg  you  to  excuse  me/'  and  he  rose. 


CHAPTER  III 

MAKING  A   NEW   HOME 

IT  rained  three  days,  not  quite  like  sullen  Eastern 
storms,  but  in  gusts  and  showers.  At  times  the  wind 
drove  it  along  like  a  trampling  army,  then  the  fog  came 
up  and  you  could  hardly  see  anything  but  the  vaguest 
outlines.  The  rainy  season  had  set  in. 

"  Will  it  rain  all  the  time  ?  "  asked  Laverne.  "  And 
I  have  no  rubbers." 

"  That  is  a  sad  oversight.  I  don't  believe  you  will 
find  any  small  ones  here,"  answered  Mrs.  Dawson. 
"  But  I  have  interviewed  some  of  the  old  residents,  and 
they  say  it  only  rains  by  spells,  but  that  the  spells  are 
rather  frequent.  I  suppose  we  shall  get  used  to  it." 

It  was  mid-forenoon.  Laverne  had  asked  questions 
about  everything  she  could  imagine,  and  heard  many 
wonderful  stories.  The  convent  tales  interested  her 
deeply.  They  had  found  an  old  volume  of  the  early 
days,  and  she  had  rejoiced  in  the  legend  of  Father 
Francis,  who  had  been  left  out  of  the  list  of  missions 
that  were  to  be  named  after  the  Saints. 

"  And  no  St.  Francis !  "  cried  the  good  missionary, 
surprised  at  such  neglect.  "  Is  not  our  own  dear 
Father  Francis  to  have  a  mission  assigned  to  him?" 

The  visitador  replied  loftily,  "  If  St.  Francis  wishes 
37 


28      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

a  mission  let  him  show  you  a  good  port  and  it  shall 
bear  his  name." 

They  had  been  discouraged  at  the  rough  shores  and 
rocky  heights.  But  they  went  on  and  suddenly  the 
gateway  opened  before  them,  and  the  bay  came  in  view. 
So  they  entered  it,  and  while  they  were  waiting  for  the 
storeship,  they  cut  down  timber  and  began  to  make  a 
settlement  on  a  fertile  plain  surrounded  by  vine-clad 
hills.  When  the  storeship  arrived  with  cattle,  pro- 
visions, and  some  more  emigrants,  they  built  some  plain 
houses,  and  the  mission,  and  on  the  day  of  St.  Francis 
it  was  blessed  and  consecrated  with  a  Mass,  and  for 
music  they  had  a  continual  discharge  of  firearms,  while 
the  smoke  answered  for  incense.  Then  they  set  about 
converting  the  natives  who  were  poor,  wandering  clans 
with  no  religion,  but  a  great  fear  of  sorcerers,  and 
were  very  easily  managed.  And  now  the  Mission 
de  los  Dolores  was  but  a  crumbling  ruin,  while  the 
good  St.  Francis  lives  in  the  noble  name  of  bay  and 
city. 

Then  there  was  the  pathetic  story  of  Dona  Con- 
ceptione,  daughter  of  the  Commandant  of  Presidio.  A 
Russian  official  visited  it,  and  fell  deeply  in  love  with 
the  beautiful  girl.  But  he  not  only  had  to  return  with 
business  matters,  but  had  to  lay  before  the  Czar  his 
earnest  wish  to  espouse  his  sweetheart.  Dona  Con- 
ceptione  waited  at  first  in  great  joy  and  hope,  but  no 
word  and  no  lover  came.  When  her  father  tried  to 
win  her  from  her  love  by  various  devices,  she  would 
not  be  comforted  with  them.  Many  a  time  she  looked 
longingly  over  the  ocean,  straining  her  eyes  to  see  the 
vague  outline  of  his  ship  that  never  came,  and  so  her 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  29 

sweet  youth  passed,  her  beauty  began  to  fade,  but  she 
would  not  give  up  her  faith.  He  was  dead,  or  he 
would  have  come.  He  could  not  prove  false.  She 
went  into  a  convent  and  prayed  for  his  soul's  rest. 
Long  afterward  she  heard  he  had  been  killed  on  his 
way  home,  and  her  sad  heart  was  comforted  by  the 
thought  that  she  had  never  doubted  his  love. 

And  then  another  beautiful  girl,  whose  lover  had 
gone  to  battle  with  a  fierce  tribe  of  Indians  who  had 
attacked  one  of  the  lower  missions.  His  horse  had 
found  its  way  back  unharmed,  and  some  one  who  had 
seen  him  fall  brought  back  his  bloody  scarf  and  his 
jewelled  dagger,  picked  up  from  the  ground,  but  the 
Indians  had  mutilated  his  body  horribly  and  cast  it 
away  in  fragments.  When  Dona  Eustacia  recovered 
from  her  long  illness  she  would  take  the  veil  in  spite 
of  her  mother's  protests,  for  there  was  another  lover 
the  elder  had  preferred.  And  so  two  years  passed 
away  when  a  poor,  dishevelled,  footsore  man  came 
back,  who  had  not  been  killed  but  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner,  and  at  last  managed  to  escape.  And  when  the 
Sefior  Roldan  learned  Eustacia's  sorrowful  mistake  he 
begged  that  she  be  released  from  her  vows,  and  prof- 
fered his  estate  to  the  mission  for  her.  But  the  Padre 
was  obdurate  and  would  not  listetn.  Did  some  bird 
carry  messages  to  her?  There  was  no  need  to  pray 
for  his  soul,  and  his  faithful  love  was  too  sweet  to  give 
up.  So  the  little  bird  comforted  her,  and  though  she 
knew  she  was  perilling  her  soul's  salvation  she  slipped 
out  of  the  convent  one  night,  and  her  lover  lifted  her 
on  his  horse  and  they  went  away  in  the  storm  and  the 
darkness,  whither  no  one  ever  knew,  but  the  Padre  took 


3o      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

his  estate,  and  they  were  both  laid  under  the  ban  of  the 
Church. 

"  But  did  it  really  hurt  them  ?  "  queried  the  young 
listener. 

"  I  should  like  to  think  they  were  very  happy,"  de- 
clared Miss  Holmes,  closing  the  book,  "  and  we  will 
end  it  that  way." 

"  Do  see ! "  cried  Laverne,  running  to  the  window. 
"  Why,  it  is  yellow  and  purple,  and  rolling  up " 

"  The  fog  is  lifting.  And  the  sun  is  coming  out," 
was  the  reply. 

"  The  cobwebs  being  swept  from  the  sky,"  laughed 
the  child.  "  But  there  is  no  old  woman  with  a 
broom." 

Yes,  there  was  the  sun  out  in  all  its  glory,  driving 
the  fog  into  the  ocean,  tearing  it  into  tatters,  and  sud- 
denly everything  was  glorified.  The  evergreens  had 
been  washed  free  from  dust  and  were  in  their  metallic 
tints,  other  foliage  that  had  seemed  brown  a  few  days 
ago,  glowed  and  shimmered  in  the  crystal-clear  air. 
The  change  was  marvellous.  The  newcomers  glanced 
at  each  other  in  surprise,  with  no  words  to  express 
their  exhilaration. 

"  And  now  we  can  go  out !  "  cried  Laverne.  "  I 
want  to  climb  a  hill." 

Uncle  Jason  laughed.     "  Come  and  see,"  he  replied. 

Alas !  Rivulets  were  running  down  the  slopes  and 
the  wind  was  appalling.  Some  of  the  streets  were 
simply  seas  meandering  along. 

"  Never  mind,  to-morrow  it  will  be  nice  and  you  will 
see  it  dry  up  by  magic." 

Laverne  went  back  to  the  book  of  legends  and  stories. 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  31 

The  others  had  been  considering  plans.  Mrs.  Folsom 
had  accepted  Mr.  Dawson's  proposal  and  was  installed 
as  housekeeper  to  his  wife's  great  satisfaction. 

"  It  would  be  folly  for  a  young  fellow  like  you  to  go 
out  to  the  mines,"  Mr.  Dawson  said  to  Richard. 
"  There's  gold  enough  to  last  ten  years  or  I'll  miss 
my  guess.  It's  no  place  for  a  boy.  And  there  is 
plenty  to  do  right  here.  I'll  take  you  as  a  clerk." 

"  We  certainly  have  fallen  in  a  clover  bed,"  exclaimed 
his  mother ;  "  I  don't  know  how  to  thank  you." 

"  I  guess  I  need  you  as  much  as  you  need  me.  And 
if  the  boy  keeps  honest  and  upright  and  doesn't  take 
to  gambling  his  fortune  is  made." 

"  But  I  shall  go  to  the  gold  fields  in  the  end,"  Dick 
said  to  his  mother.  She  was  satisfied  to  have  it  put 
off  a  while. 

The  rain  had  not  kept  Jason  Chadsey  in  the  house. 
He  had  gone  on  several  inspecting  tours.  There  was 
work  to  be  had  everywhere.  Building  up  the  burned 
district,  draying  around  the  bay  in  every  conceivable 
branch.  Every  week  dozens  of  men  threw  up  a  job 
and  started  for  the  gold  fields.  Three  or  four  ship- 
ping houses  almost  fought  for  him  when  they  learned 
he  was  a  Maine  man,  and  had  been  half  over  the  world, 
was  indeed  full  of  shrewd  knowledge  that  had  been 
discriminated  by  a  wide  experience,  and  neither  drank 
nor  gambled,  the  besetting  sins  of  those  early  days. 

Then  there  was  the  home.  Miss  Alwood  had  found 
a  position.  The  other  two  had  been  friends  for  years. 
A  needlewoman  would  readily  gain  employment,  and 
no  doubt  teachers  would  be  in  demand. 

Jason  Chadsey  ruminated  over  the  matter.    Women 


32      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

had  hardly  begun  to  make  homes  for  themselves  in 
that  chaotic  region.  What  if  he  made  a  home  for  them 
both  and  Miss  Holmes  took  care  of  Laverne?  The 
child  was  very  fond  of  her. 

He  went  about  the  matter  in  a  straightforward 
fashion.  Miss  Holmes  accepted  at  once.  She  had  be- 
gun to  wonder  a  little  at  her  temerity  in  seeking  her 
fortune  in  this  new  land.  In  the  older  cities  it  was 
different.  And  she  had  a  motherly  heart  for  Laverne. 
Indeed,  if  Jason  Chadsey  had  offered  her  marriage  she 
would  have  accepted  it  readily,  though  it  would  have 
been  based  on  respect  and  friendship. 

"You  will  be  head  of  the  interior,"  he  said,  in  a 
rather  humorous  tone.  "  We  may  find  some  one  to  do 
the  rough  part.  And  if  Miss  Gaines  would  like  to 
make  her  home  with  you  we  shall  be  a  cheerful  and 
comfortable  family,  I  fancy." 

It  was  not  so  easy  to  find  a  domicile  ready  made. 
Too  many  of  the  houses,  even  among  those  offered 
for  sale,  were  flimsy  things  and  held  at  exorbitant 
prices.  But  he  struck  one  presently.  The  man's  wife 
had  died  and  he  wanted  to  go  to  the  mines,  but  did  not 
really  care  to  sell.  He  would  rent  furniture  and  all 
for  six  months. 

The  Dawsons  were  sorry  to  have  them  leave.  To 
be  sure,  their  places  could  be  filled  easily  enough,  but 
they  had  all  been  so  friendly. 

Meanwhile  the  weather  would  have  been  amusing  if 
it  had  not  been  so  trying.  It  had  come  off  very  hot, 
and  the  north  wind  seemed  to  be  bringing  gusts  from 
the  desert  that  scorched  the  green  things  with  its 
withering  fury.  The  stars  shone  out  pitiless  like  lesser 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  33 

suns.  Then  splendid  revivifying  showers,  and  air  as 
balmy  as  spring,  laden  with  wafts  of  curious  fragrance, 
touching  the  hillsides  with  magic,  clothing  them  with 
daintiest  verdure.  Was  this  -winter?  Were  not  the 
seasons  absolutely  lost? 

The  little  girl  was  as  much  interested  in  the  house  as 
if  she  had  been  a  decade  older.  It  was  rather  out  of 
the  business  region,  and  built  on  a  side  hill.  Down- 
stairs, even  with  the  street  in  front,  which  had  a  nar- 
row plank  sidewalk,  there  were  two  rooms;  on  the 
next  floor  four,  and  you  stepped  out  on  the  level  again 
at  the  back.  There  was  a  flat  rock,  then  another  de- 
clivity, but  not  so  steep.  Up  here  there  was  a  mag- 
nificent prospect.  A  little  shrubbery  grew  about,  but 
it  was  mostly  a  tangle  of  vines,  where  flowers  were  to 
run  riot  in  the  spring. 

It  was  quite  as  plain  as  the  little  cottage  in  the  Maine 
town  though  much  less  substantial.  Sometimes  in  a 
strong  west  wind  it  seemed  as  if  it  might  slide  to  the 
street  below.  But  houses  seldom  blew  about  that 
way. 

Outside  a  series  of  rude  steps  had  been  laid.  Now 
and  then  they  washed  out  in  a  heavy  rain,  but  they 
could  be  relaid  without  much  trouble,  and  sometimes 
the  sticky  clay  hardened  like  stone  and  they  remained 
for  a  long  while.  She  liked  to  run  up  and  down  them, 
flying  like  a  gull,  stretching  out  her  small  arms,  to  the 
terror  of  Miss  Holmes. 

"  You  will  slip  some  day  and  break  your  neck  or 
some  of  your  limbs,  and  your  uncle  will  think  I  was 
careless  about  you,"  she  said  anxiously. 

"  Oh,  I  will  tell  him  that  you  were  always  caution- 


34       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

ing  me.  And  I  do  not  believe  I  shall  break  easily/' 
laughing  with  a  child's  glee. 

Every  day  changed  her  it  seemed.  Her  eyes  glowed 
with  quivering  lights  like  the  bay,  her  cheeks  rounded 
out,  the  dimple  grew  deeper  and  held  a  pink  tint  like 
the  heart  of  a  rose.  Uncle  Jason  put  uncounted  kisses 
in  it.  She  would  be  prettier  than  her  mother,  and  that 
gave  him  a  jealous  pang.  Her  father  had  been  es- 
teemed good-looking,  but  really  she  was  not  like  him. 
The  coloring  and  hair  resembled  her  mother's.  Ah,  if 
she  could  be  here  amid  the  splendor,  and  he  shuddered, 
thinking  of  the  bleak  little  town. 

The  housekeeping  was  not  arduous.  Even  in  those 
early  days  fruits  were  abundant  and  vegetables  enough 
to  surprise  one.  Then  Jason  Chadsey  went  away  in 
the  morning  and  oftener  took  his  lunch  at  the  Daw- 
sons',  not  coming  home  until  night.  Everything  in  a 
business  way  rushed. 

There  were  schools  already,  for  the  American  plants 
his  schoolhouse  if  there  are  a  dozen  children.  They 
could  see  the  one  down  on  the  Plaza.  There  were 
churches,  too.  Even  in  1848  there  had  been  Sunday 
worship  established  on  the  Plaza,  and  a  year  later,  in 
spite  of  all  the  hubbub,  churches  were  really  organized. 
Then  they  erected  a  substantial  tent  on  Dupont  Street, 
until  one  of  their  members  ordered  a  church  ready  to 
be  put  together,  from  New  York.  There  was  beside 
a  Congregational  Society  and  this  attracted  Miss 
Holmes,  for  she  had  always  been  "  orthodox  "  in  Bos- 
ton. But  the  long  sea  voyage  and  the  lawless  life  all 
about  her  were  rather  demoralizing. 

Men  and  women  broadened  out,  sharp  corners  of 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  35 

creeds  were  rubbed  off.  There  was  a  very  earnest  en- 
deavor among:  the  better  classes  for  the  extension  of 
higher  moral  purposes,  and  a  purer  rule,  and  all  of  that 
mind  worked  heartily  together. 

Marian  Holmes  was  much  interested  in  her  friend's 
welfare.  Miss  Gaines,  with  true  Yankee  faculty,  was 
meaning  to  make  a  place  for  herself  and  some  money. 
Her  heart  yearned  for  the  intelligence  and  order  of 
her  native  city. 

"  I  shall  not  spend  all  my  life  in  this  riotous,  dis- 
orderly place  where  you  cannot  tell  what  will  happen 
to  you  next.  Like  the  men,  I  want  to  make  some 
money.  It  doesn't  take  so  very  much  to  be  com- 
fortable in  Boston,  and  there  are  all  the  appliances  and 
enjoyments  of  civilization.  I  was  talking  to  that  Mrs. 
Latham  who  has  come  to  the  Dawsons  for  a  few  weeks 
while  their  house  is  being  finished.  And  she  recom- 
mends that  I  shall  start  an  establishment  at  once,  while 
I  am  new  to  the  town." 

Miss  Gaines  studied  her  compeer.  She  had  been 
talking  so  rapidly  she  was  out  of  breath. 

"  Well  ?  "  as  Miss  Holmes  was  silent. 

"  Why,  it  might  be  an  excellent  thing.  Only  could 
you  get  girls  to  sew  ?  I  do  not  think  the  young  women 
are  of  that  type.  They  flock  to  the  restaurants." 

"  There  are  two  Catholic  women  Mrs.  Latham  spoke 
of — you  know  their  priests  keep  stricter  watch  over 
them.  They  are  of  the  old  Spanish  Californian  stock. 
They  have  sewed  for  her  and  are  neat  as  new  pins,  but 
have  no  style.  They  rent  out  the  lower  floor  of  their 
house,  being  in  straitened  circumstances.  Their  ten- 
ant is  to  go  next  week,  I  believe  I  shall  take  the  two 


36      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

rooms,  and  open  a  shop,  emporium,  establishment, 
whatever  it  is  best  to  call  It.  They  will  work  for  me. 
And  the  more  bizarre  clothes  are  made  the  better  I 
think  they  will  suit  these  people,  who  do  not  care  how 
they  spend  their  money  if  it  is  so  their  neighbors  can 
see  it.  Then  we  will  all  be  provided  for.  Though  I 
think  I  could  have  had  an  offer  of  marriage  last  night. 
A  man  had  just  come  in  from  the  mines  with  a  pile  of 
gold.  He  was  a  Boston  man,  but  sadly  demoralized 
by  drink.  I  felt  sorry  for  him  at  first,  then  disgusted." 

Miss  Holmes  laughed.  "  And  thereby  missed  a 
chance  that  it  is  supposed  no  woman  lets  slip." 

"  I  certainly  shall  not  take  a  chance  like  that.  Come 
with  me  to  see  the  rooms." 

"  I  must  find  Laverne.  The  child  grows  wild  as 
the  wildest  thing  in  town,  and  yet  she  is  sweet  as  a  rose. 
There's  something  in  the  air  that  sets  all  your  blood 
astir.  I  have  not  danced  for  years.  I  should  like  to 
dance.  I  feel  curiously  young." 

"  Marian  Holmes !  You  are  in  love !  But  I  can't 
imagine  Jason  Chadsey  dancing.  Though  you  are  not 
compelled  to  dance  with  your  husband  in  this  lawless 
place." 

"  I  am  afraid  it  would  be  love's  labor  lost  if  that  were 
the  case.  He  like  you  has  his  heart  set  on  making 
money,  but  for  the  child." 

She  ran  out  and  looked  at  Table  Rock,  as  they  called 
a  large,  flattish  boulder.  Laverne  was  not  there. 
Then  she  glanced  around.  Some  distance  down  the 
street  was  a  group  of  little  girls,  but  Laverne's  light 
hair  made  her  distinctive.  She  walked  a  short  dis- 
tance and  then  called. 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  37 

The  child  hesitated,  and  the  call  was  repeated. 
Laverne  came  with  the  rush  of  a  wild  deer. 

"  Oh,  can't  I  stay  a  little  longer?  I'm  telling  them 
about  Maine,  and  the  snows  and  coasting.  And  it 
doesn't  snow  here,  at  least  only  a  little  bit.  They  are 
such  nice  girls,  and  I  am  so  lonely  with  only  big  folks. 
They  talk  Spanish  and  very  broken  English." 

"  I  want  to  take  you  out.  Your  uncle  wouldn't  like 
me  to  leave  you  among  strangers." 

"  Oh,  but  we're  not  strangers  now.  We  know  each 
other's  names.  Carmencita, — isn't  that  pretty, — and 
Juana,  and  Anesta,  and  their  voices  are  so  soft,  and 
such  black  eyes  as  they  have !  " 

"  But  you  must  come  with  me,  dear,"  and  there  was 
a  firmness  in  Miss  Holmes'  tone. 

The  child  looked  irresolute.  "Well,  I  must  tell 
them,"  and  she  was  off  again.  These  walks  about  the 
city  always  interested  her.  She  made  amends  by 
promising  to  come  in  the  afternoon. 

There  was  not  much  regularity  in  the  streets  save 
in  the  business  section.  Some  were  little  better  than 
alleyways,  others  wound  about,  and  like  most  new 
places,  houses  had  been  set  anywhere,  but  there  were 
a  few  pretty  spots  belonging  to  some  of  the  older  set- 
tlers before  the  irruption  of  the  horde.  And  already 
the  Chinese  had  congregated  together,  the  Germans 
had  a  settlement,  and  the  American  was  everywhere. 

This  was  really  a  pretty  nook,  with  some  wild  olive 
trees  about  and  almonds,  while  grape  vines  clambered 
over  the  rocks.  It  had  been  quite  a  fine  estate,  but  its 
day  was  past.  At  one  end  was  the  adobe  cottage  of 
two  stories,  with  a  flat  roof  and  small  deep-set  win- 


38      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

dows,  that  made  it  look  like  the  spur  of  a  mission.  At 
the  southern  end  was  a  great  open  porch,  the  adobe 
floor  stained  a  dullish  red,  and  vines  were  climbing 
over  the  columns.  The  little  garden  in  front  had  some 
vegetables  growing  in  it. 

The  Sefiora  Vanegas  came  down  the  outside  stairs, 
she  had  seen  the  guests  from  her  window.  She  spoke 
quite  brokenly,  falling  into  Spanish  when  she  was  at 
loss  for  a  word.  Then  she  called  her  daughter  Ja- 
cintha,  who  had  mastered  English,  but  spoke  it  with  a 
charming  accent,  and  translated  into  Spanish  that  her 
mother  more  readily  understood  the  desire  of  the 
visitors.  Mrs.  Latham  had  sent  them.  Yes,  they 
knew  Mrs.  Latham  very  well.  Oh,  it  would  be  charm- 
ing to  have  some  one  to  take  the  lead,  they  did  not 
profess  to  understand  all  the  art  of  costuming.  But 
Jacintha  brought  down  some  exquisite  embroidery  and 
drawn  work,  and  the  mother  made  cushion  lace  for 
some  of  the  big  ladies.  Her  brother,  it  seemed,  had 
owned  the  whole  estate,  which  had  come  from  their 
father,  and  drank  and  gambled  it  away,  keeping  racing 
horses.  Only  this  little  spot  was  left  to  them,  and  they 
were  very  poor.  The  mother  would  gladly  retire  to  a 
convent,  but  the  daughters " 

"  I  could  not  like  the  life,"  Jacintha  protested. 
"  Perhaps,  when  I  am  old  and  have  had  no  lovers,  I 
might  be  willing.  But  while  I  can  work,  and  the 
world  is  so  bright,"  smiling  with  youth  and  hope. 

"  All  three  of  you "  inquired  the  mother. 

"  Only  Miss  Gaines,"  explained  Jacintha.  "  The 
others  have  a  home,  and  Miss  Gaines  will  go  there  on 
Sunday.  Oh,  Senorita,  you  will  find  plenty  of  work, 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  39 

and  we  will  be  glad  to  help.  And  it  will  be  a  great 
interest." 

The  mother  brought  in  a  plate  of  crispy  spiced 
cakes,  and  some  sweet  wine  of  berries  that  she  always 
prepared.  For  berries  grew  almost  everywhere,  even 
if  they  were  not  of  the  choicest  kind.  A  little  cultiva- 
tion worked  wonders. 

So  that  was  settled.  They  all  went  to  Dawson 
House  and  had  luncheon.  Mrs.  Dawson  was  really  in 
her  glory. 

"  I  was  a  fool  that  I  didn't  come  out  before,"  she 
said,  with  her  heartsome  laugh.  "  Several  of  my 
cousins  went  West  and  suffered  everything,  and  I  had 
no  taste  for  emigrating.  So  I  said  to  Dawson  when  he 
was  smitten  with  the  gold  craze,  '  Go  out  and  make 
some  money,  and  get  a  home  to  keep  me  in,  and  a 
servant  to  wait  upon  me,  and  then  I  will  come.'  But  I 
might  as  well  have  been  here  a  year  ago.  There  is 
money  to  £e  paid  for  everything,  no  one  haggles  over 
the  price.  So,  Miss  Gaines,  we  will  wish  you  success 
and  a  fortune." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  hand  in  it ;"  and  Miss  Gaines 
nodded  merrily. 

"  Hillo ! "  cried  a  bright  voice,  as  Laverne  stood 
talking  to  the  beautiful  big  dog  in  the  hall.  "  Why, 
I've  not  seen  you  for  ever  so  long.  Where  have  you 
been?" 

"  Home — I  suppose  that's  home  over  there,"  and  she 
nodded  her  head,  while  the  dimple  in  her  cheek  deep- 
ened. "  But  it  is  all  so  queer.  Well,  when  you  are 
over  on  the  other  side  of  the  world, — turned  upside 
down  " and  she  looked  half  funny,  half  perplexed. 


40      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Are  you  homesick  ?  Do  you  want  to  go  back  to 
Maine  ?" 

"  But  there  isn't  any  one  to  care  for  me  there,"  she 
said  a  little  sadly.  "  Uncle  Jason's  all  I  have.  It's 
so  queer  for  winter,  though.  No  snow,  no  sliding,  no 
skating,  no  fun  at  snowballing.  And  between  the  rains 
things  spring  up  and  grow.  I've  tamed  two  funny 
little  squirrels,  so  one  of  them  will  eat  out  of  my  hand. 
And  the  birds  come  to  be  fed." 

"  You  can  see  snow  enough  up  on  the  mountain- 
tops.  It  never  melts  away.  I  like  the  fun  and  stir 
and  strange  people.  It  makes  you  believe  in  Sir  Fran- 
cis Drake  and  the  pirates  and  everything.  But  my! 
how  they  spend  money  and  gamble  it  away!  I  hope 
your  uncle  will  have  a  level  head  and  hold  on  to  what 
he  gets." 

"  I've  found  three  Spanish  girls  that  are  just  lovely. 
There  are  so  few  little  girls  about,"  in  a  rather  melan- 
choly tone.  "  And  Miss  Holmes  teaches  me  at  home. 
I'd  rather  go  to  school,  but  it's  too  far,  and  uncle  says 
wait  until  I  get  older." 

"  I  guess  that's  best,"  returned  the  experienced 
youth.  "  Sometimes  it  is  hardly  safe  for  a  little  girl 
in  the  street.  There  are  so  many  drunken  rowdies." 

"  Oh,  I  never  do  go  out  alone,  except  over  at  the 
cedars.  They  are  sort  of  scrubby  and  look  like  Maine. 
The  little  girls  live  there.  I  don't  quite  like  their 
mother;  she  has  such  sharp  black  eyes.  Why  do  you 
suppose  so  many  people  have  black  eyes  ?  " 

Dick  considered  a  moment.  "  Why,  the  tropical  na- 
tions are  darker,  and  the  Mexicans,  and  those  queer 
people  from  Hawaii  and  all  the  islands  over  yonder. 


MAKING  A  NEW  HOME  41 

Your  uncle  will  know  all  about  them.  When  I  am  a 
few  years  older  I  mean  to  travel.  I'll  go  up  to  the  gold 
fields  and  make  a  pile,  and  you  bet  I  won't  come  in 
town  and  gamble  it  away  in  a  single  night,  the  way 
some  of  them  do.  I'll  go  over  to  Australia  and  China." 

Laverne  drew  a  long  breath.  What  a  wonderful 
world  it  was !  If  she  could  be  suddenly  dropped  down 
into  the  small  district  school  and  tell  them  all  she  had 
seen! 

Some  one  called  Dick.  She  sauntered  back  into  the 
room,  but  the  women  were  still  talking  business  and 
clothes.  There  was  a  beautiful  big  hound  who  looked 
at  her  with  wistful  eyes,  and  she  spoke  to  him.  He 
nodded  and  looked  gravely  wise. 

"  You've  a  most  uncompromising  name/'  Mrs. 
Latham  was  saying.  "  You  can't  seem  to  Frenchify 
the  beginning  nor  end.  You  must  put  a  card  in  the 
paper."  For  the  newspaper  had  been  a  necessity  from 
the  very  first,  and  the  Alia  Calif  or  man  was  eagerly 
scanned. 

"  Yes,"  Miss  Gaines  returned,  "  Calista  Gaines.  It 
has  a  sound  of  the  old  Bay  State.  Well,  I'm  not 
ashamed  of  it,"  almost  defiantly. 

"And  we  shall  have  to  get  most  of  our  fashions 
from  the  States  for  some  time  to  come.  We  are  not 
in  the  direct  line  from  Paris.  And  I  really  don't  see 
why  we  shouldn't  have  fashions  of  our  own.  Here 
are  the  picturesque  Spanish  garments  that  can  be 
adapted.  Oh,  you  will  do,  and  we  shall  be  glad  enough 
to  have  you,"  giving  a  most  hearty  and  encouraging 
laugh. 

"  Fortune-making  is  in  the  very  air,"  declared  Miss 


42       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Gaines  on  the  homeward  way.  "  Well,  I  think  I  like  a 
new,  energetic  country.  And  what  a  delicious  voice 
that  Jacintha  has !  I  wonder  if  voices  do  not  get  toned 
down  in  this  air.  Our  east  wind  is  considered  bad  for 
them.  And  it  is  said  a  foggy  air  is  good  for  the  com- 
plexion. We  may  end  by  being  rich  and  beautiful, 
who  knows !  " 

Laverne  ran  out  to  look  after  her  squirrels,  and  chat- 
tered with  them.  Then  something  bright  caught  her 
eye  up  among  the  tangles  of  vines  and  shrubs.  Why, 
flowers,  absolutely  in  bloom  in  December!  She  gath- 
ered a  handful  of  them  and  hurried  back  overjoyed. 

"  Oh,  see,  see !  "  she  cried,  out  of  breath.  "  They 
are  up  here  on  the  hill,  and  everything  is  growing. 
Isn't  it  queer!  Do  you  suppose  the  real  winter  will 
come  in  July  ?  " 

"  If  stories  are  true  we  will  hardly  have  any  winter 
at  all,"  was  the  reply. 

"  And  they  are  all  snowed  up  in  Maine.  Oh,  I 
wish  there  was  some  one  to  write  me  a  letter." 


CHAPTER  IV 

A  QUEER  WINTER 

CHRISTMAS  and  New  Year's  brought  a  mad  whirl. 
All  that  could,  came  in  from  the  mines.  The  streets 
were  thronged.  Banjo  and  guitar  were  thrummed  to 
the  songs  and  choruses  of  the  day,  and  even  the  accor- 
deon  notes  floated  out  on  the  air,  now  soft  and  pathetic 
with  "Annie  Laurie,"  "  Home,  Sweet  Home,"  and 
"  There's  Nae  Luck  About  the  House,"  "  The  Girl  I 
Left  Behind  Me,"  or  a  jolly  song  from  fine  male 
voices.  Then  there  were  balls,  and  a  great  masquer- 
ade, until  it  seemed  as  if  there  was  nothing  to  life  but 
pleasure. 

Miss  Gaines  came  in  with  some  of  the  stories.  But 
the  most  delightful  were  those  of  the  three  little  Es- 
tenega  girls  about  the  Christmas  eve  at  the  church  and 
the  little  child  Jesus  in  the  cradle,  the  wise  men  bring- 
ing their  gifts,  the  small  plain  chapel  dressed  with 
greens  and  flowers  in  Vallejo  Street.  Laverne  had  not 
been  brought  up  to  Christmas  services  and  at  first  was 
quite  shocked.  But  the  child's  heart  warmed  to  the 
thought,  and  Miss  Holmes  read  the  simple  story  of 
Bethlehem  in  Judea,  that  touched  her  immeasurably. 

And  then  there  seemed  a  curious  awakening  of 
spring.  Flowers  sprang  up  and  bloomed  as  if  the  rain 
had  a  magic  that  it  scattered  with  every  drop.  The 

43 


44      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

atmosphere  had  a  startling  transparency.  There  were 
the  blue  slopes  of  Tamalpais,  and  far  away  in  the  San 
Matteo  Range  the  redwood  trees  stood  up  in  their 
magnificence.  Out  through  the  Golden  Gate  one  could 
discern  the  Farallones  forty  miles  away.  The  very 
air  was  full  of  exhilarating  balm,  and  the  wild  oats 
sprang  up  in  the  night,  it  seemed,  and  nodded  their 
lucent  green  heads  on  slender  stems.  And  the  wild 
poppies  in  gorgeous  colors,  though  great  patches  were 
of  an  intense  yellow  like  a  field  of  the  cloth  of  gold. 

Sometimes  Jason  Chadsey  of  a  Sunday,  the  only 
leisure  time  he  could  find  to  devote  to  her,  took  his 
little  girl  out  oceanward.  There  were  the  seals 
disporting  themselves,  there  were  flocks  of  ducks  and 
grebes,  gulls  innumerable,  and  everything  that  could 
float  or  fly.  Ships  afar  off,  with  masts  and  sails 
visible  as  if  indeed  they  were  being  submerged.  What 
stores  they  brought  from  the  Orient!  Spices  and 
silks,  and  all  manner  of  queer  things.  And  the  others 
coming  up  from  the  Pacific  Coast,  where  there  were 
old  towns  dotted  all  along. 

Or  they  took  the  bayside  with  its  circle  of  hills,  its 
far-off  mountains,  its  dots  of  cities  yet  to  be.  Angel 
Island  and  Yerba  Buena  where  the  first  settlement  was 
made,  growing  so  slowly  that  in  ten  years  not  more 
than  twenty  or  thirty  houses  lined  the  beach.  Or  they 
boarded  the  various  small  steamers,  plying  across  or  up 
and  down  the  bay.  Miss  Holmes  did  object  some- 
what to  this  form  of  Sunday  entertainment.  There 
was  always  a  motley  assemblage,  and  often  rough  lan- 
guage. Men  who  had  come  from  decent  homes  and 
proper  training  seemed  to  lay  it  aside  in  the  rush  and 


A  QUEER  WINTER  45 

excitement.  Yet  that  there  were  many  fine,  earnest, 
strong  men  among  those  early  emigrants  was  most 
true;  men  who  saw  the  grand  possibilities  of  this 
western  coast  as  no  eastern  stay-at-home  could. 

Was  the  old  legend  true  that  some  mighty  cataclysm 
had  rent  the  rocks  apart  and  the  rivers  that  had  flowed 
into  the  bay  found  an  outlet  to  the  sea?  Up  at  the 
northern  end  was  San  Pablo  Bay  into  which  emptied 
the  Sacramento  and  its  tributaries,  and  a  beautiful 
fertile  country  spreading  out  in  a  series  of  brilliant 
pictures,  which  was  to  be  the  home  of  thousands  later 
on. 

And  from  here  one  had  a  fine  view  of  the  city,  fast 
rising  into  prominence  on  its  many  hills  as  it  lay  bask- 
ing in  the  brilliant  sunshine.  Irregular  and  full  of 
small  green  glens  which  now  had  burst  into  luxuriant 
herbage  and  were  glowing  with  gayest  bloom,  and 
diversified  with  low  shrubbery;  then  from  the  middle 
down  great  belts  of  timber  at  intervals,  but  that  por- 
tion of  the  city  best  known  now  was  from  Yerba 
Buena  Cove,  from  North  Beach  to  Mission  Cove.  Al- 
ready it  was  thriving,  and  buildings  sprang  up  every 
day  as  if  by  magic,  and  the  busy  people  breathed 
an  enchanted  air  that  incited  them  to  purposes  that 
would  have  been  called  wildest  dreams  at  the  sober 
East. 

The  little  girl  looked  out  on  the  changeful  picture 
and  held  tight  to  her  uncle's  hand  as  the  throngs  from 
all  parts  of  the  world,  and  in  strange  attire,  passed 
and  repassed  her,  giving  now  and  then  a  sharp  glance 
which  brought  the  bright  color  to  her  face.  For  the 
Spanish  families  kept  their  little  girls  under  close 


46       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

supervision,  as  they  went  decorously  to  and  from 
church  on  Sunday ;  the  dirty,  forlorn  Indian  and  half- 
breed  children  hardly  attracted  a  moment's  notice,  ex- 
cept to  be  kicked  or  cuffed  out  of  the  way.  More 
than  one  man  glanced  at  Jason  Chadsey  with  envious 
eyes,  and  remembered  a  little  girl  at  home  for  whom 
he  was  striving  to  make  a  fortune. 

Jason  Chadsey  did  not  enjoy  the  crowd,  though  the 
sails  to  and  fro  had  been  so  delightful.  Miss  Holmes 
was  shocked  at  the  enormity  of  Sabbath-breaking. 

"  There  is  no  other  day,"  he  said,  in  apology.  "  I 
shouldn't  like  you  to  go  alone  on  a  week-day,  the  rab- 
ble would  be  quite  as  bad." 

She  sighed,  thinking  of  orderly  Boston  and  its 
church-going  people.  Not  but  what  churches  flour- 
ished here,  new  as  the  place  was,  and  the  ready  giving 
of  the  people  was  a  great  surprise  to  one  who  had 
been  interested,  even  taken  part  in  providing  money 
for  various  religious  wants.  It  was  a  great  mystery  to 
her  that  there  should  be  so  many  sides  to  human  na- 
ture. 

"  I  wonder  if  you  would  like  a  pony  ?  "  he  asked  of 
the  little  girl,  as  they  were  picking  their  way  up  the 
irregularities  of  the  pavement  or  where  there  was  no 
pavement  at  all. 

"  A  pony  ?  "  There  was  a  dubious  expression  in  the 
child's  face,  and  a  rather  amazed  look  in  her  eyes. 
"  But — I  don't  know  how  to  ride,"  hesitatingly. 

"  You  could  learn,"  and  he  smiled. 

"  But  a  horse  is  so  large,  and  looks  at  you  so — so 
curiously — I  think  I  do  feel  a  little  bit  afraid,"  she  ad- 
mitted, with  a  flush. 


A  QUEER  WINTER  47 

"  Oh,  I  mean  just  a  nice  little  pony  that  you  could 
hug  if  you  wanted  to.  And  I  guess  I  could  teach  you 
to  ride.  Then  we  could  have  nice  long  journeys  about. 
There  are  so  many  beautiful  places  and  such  fields  and 
fields  of  wild  flowers.  You  cannot  walk  everywhere. 
And  I  have  not  money  enough  to  buy  a  boat  of  my 
own,"  with  a  humorous  smile. 

"  I  suppose  a  boat  does  cost  a  good  deal,"  she  re- 
turned thoughtfully.  "  I  love  to  be  on  the  water. 
Though  at  first  I  was  afraid,  and  when  that  dreadful 
storm  came.  A  ship  is  a  queer  thing, -isn't  it?  One 
would  think  with  all  the  people  and  all  the  cargo  it 
must  sink.  I  don't  see  how  it  keeps  up,"  and  her  face 
settled  into  lines  of  perplexity,  even  her  sweet  mouth 
betraying  it. 

"  That  is*  in  the  building.  You  couldn't  understand 
now." 

"  Do  you  know  who  made  the  first  ship  ?  " 

He  laughed  then.  He  had  such  a  hearty,  jolly 
laugh,  though  he  had  been  tossed  about  the  world  so 
much. 

She  had  a  mind  to  be  a  little  offended.  "  It  isn't 
in  the  geography,"  she  said,  with  dignity.  "  And 
Columbus  knew  all  about  ships. 

"  Yes,  we  can  go  back  of  Columbus.  The  first  one 
I  ever  really  heard  about  was  Noah's  Ark." 

"Oh,  Noah's  Ark!  I  never  thought  of  that!" 
She  laughed  then,  and  the  lines  went  out  of  her  face. 
"  I'm  glad  we  didn't  have  a  deluge  on  our  long  jour- 
ney. And  think  of  all  the  animals  on  board!  Was 
the  whole  world  drowned  out  ?  " 

"  I  believe  that  has  never  been  satisfactorily  settled. 


48      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

And  long  before  the  time  of  Christ  there  were  maritime 
nations " 

"  Maritime  ?  "  she  interrupted. 

"  Sailors,  vessels,  traders.  The  old  Phoenicians  and 
the  nations  bordering  on  the  Mediterranean  Sea. 
Though  they  went  outside  the  pillars  of  Hercules,  and 
there  were  seamen  on  the  Asian  side  of  the  world." 

"  Oh,  dear,  how  much  there  is  for  me  to  learn,"  and 
she  drew  a  long  breath.  "  And  they  thought  I  was 
real  smart  in  our  little  old  school.  But  I  could  spell 
almost  everything." 

"  There  are  years  in  which  you  can  learn  it,"  he  said 
encouragingly. 

"  And  you  have  been  almost  everywhere."  There 
was  a  note  of  admiration  in  her  voice.  "  The  stories 
were  so  wonderful  when  you  told  them  on  shipboard. 
I  didn't  half  understand  them  then  because  I  didn't 
think  the  world  could  be  such  a  great  place,  so  you 
must  tell  them  over  to  me." 

"  Yes.  And  some  day  you  may  go  the  rest  of  the 
way  round  the  world.  You've  been  nearly  half  round 
it  and  you  are  still  in  America." 

They  paused  at  the  little  cottage.  Bruno,  the  great 
dog,  lay  on  the  doorstep,  but  he  rose  and  shook  him- 
self, and  put  his  nose  in  the  little  girl's  hand. 

She  had  been  rather  afraid  of  him  at  first.  Even 
now  when  he  gave  a  low  growl  at  some  tramp  prowl- 
ing round  it  sent  a  shiver  down  her  spine.  But  he  was 
a  very  peaceable  fellow  and  now  devoted  to  his  new 
mistress. 

Miss  Holmes  prepared  the  supper.  She  had  a  fond- 
ness for  housekeeping,  and  this  life  seemed  idyllic  to 


A   QUEER  WINTER  49 

Her.  The  old  weariness  of  heart  and  brain  had  van- 
ished. Miss  Gaines  told  her  she  looked  five  years 
younger  and  that  it  would  not  take  her  long  to  go  back 
to  twenty.  Miss  Gaines  had  made  some  charming 
new  friends  and  did  not  always  spend  Sunday  with 
them. 

Laverne  wiped  the  dishes  for  Miss  Holmes.  Jason 
Chadsey  lighted  his  pipe,  and  strolled  uptown. 

"  I  wish  you  would  read  all  about  Noah's  ark  to 
me,"  Laverne  said,  and  Miss  Holmes  sat  down  by  the 
lamp. 

The  child  had  many  new  thoughts  about  it  at  this 
time. 

"  People  must  have  been  very  wicked  then  if  there 
were  not  ten  good  ones.  There  are  more  than  that 
now,"  confidently. 

"  But  the  world  will  never  be  drowned  again.  We 
have  that  promise." 

"  Only  it  is  to  be  burned  up.  And  that  will  be 
dreadful,  too.  Do  you  suppose — the  people  will  be — 
burned  ?  "  hesitating  awesomely. 

"  Oh,  no,  no !     Don't  think  of  that,  child." 

"  I  wonder  why  they  saved  so  many  horrid  animals  ? 
Did  you  ever  see  a  tiger  and  a  lion  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  at  a  menagerie." 

"  Tell  me  about  it." 

She  had  an  insatiable  desire  for  stories,  this  little 
girl,  and  picked  up  much  knowledge  that  way.  Miss 
Holmes  taught  her,  for  there  was  no  nearby  school. 

She  made  friends  with  the  Estenega  girls,  though 
at  first  their  mother,  with  true  Spanish  reticence  and 
pride  held  aloof,  but  interest  in  her  children's  welfare 


50       A  LITTLE   GIRL   IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  a  half  fear  of  the  Americanos,  beside  the  frankness 
of  the  little  girl  induced  her  to  walk  in  their  direction 
one  day,  and  in  a  shaded  nook  she  found  Miss  Holmes 
and  her  charge.  Perhaps  the  truth  was  that  Senora 
Estenega  had  many  lonely  hours.  Friends  and  rela- 
tives were  dead  or  had  gone  away,  for  there  had  been 
no  little  friction  when  California  was  added  to  the 
grasping  "  States."  When  she  could  sell  her  old 
homestead  she  meant  to  remove  to  Monterey,  which 
at  this  period  was  not  quite  so  overrun  with  Ameri- 
canos. But  she  had  been  born  here,  and  her  happy 
childhood  was  connected  with  so  many  favorite  haunts. 
Here  she  had  been  wedded,  her  children  born,  in  the 
closed  room  where  there  was  a  little  altar  her  hus- 
band had  died,  and  she  kept  commemorative  services 
on  anniversaries.  And  then  no  one  had  offered  to  buy 
the  place — it  was  out  of  the  business  part,  and  though 
the  town  might  stretch  down  there,  it  had  shown  no 
symptoms  as  yet. 

Miss  Holmes  was  reading  and  Laverne  sewing. 
She  had  taken  a  decided  fancy  to  this  feminine  branch 
of  learning,  and  was  hemming  ruffles  for  a  white 
apron.  Her  mother  had  taught  her  long  ago,  when  it 
had  been  a  very  tiresome  process.  But  the  Estenega 
girls  made  lace  and  embroidered. 

Laverne  sprang  up.  "  It  is  Carmen's  mother,"  she 
said.  Then  she  glanced  up  at  the  visitor,  with  her  lace 
mantilla  thrown  over  her  high  comb,  her  black  hair  in 
precise  little  curls,  each  side  of  her  face,  and  her  eyes 
rather  severe  but  not  really  unpleasant. 

"  I  do  not  know  how  you  say  it,"  and  she  flushed 
with  embarrassment.  "  It  is  not  Madame  or  Mrs. " 


A  QUEER  WINTER  51 

"  Sefiora,"  answered  the  Spanish  woman,  her  face 
softening  under  the  appealing  eyes  of  the  child. 

Then  Laverne  performed  the  introduction  with  an 
ease  hardly  expected  in  a  child.  Miss  Holmes  rose. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  meet  you.  I  was  deciding  to 
come  to  ask  about  the  children.  Laverne  is  often 
lonely  and  would  like  playmates.  And  she  is  picking 
up  many  Spanish  words.  You  understand  Eng- 
lish/' 

"  Somewhat.  It  is  of  necessity.  These  new  people 
have  possessed  our  country  and  you  cannot  always 
trust  servants  to  interpret.  Yes,  the  children.  I  have 
a  little  fear.  They  are  Catholics.  Carmencita  will  go 
to  the  convent  next  year  for  her  education.  And  I 
should  not  want  their  faith  tampered  with." 

"  Oh,  no,"  Miss  Holmes  responded  cheerfully. 
"  You  know  we  have  different  kinds  of  faith  and  yet 
agree  as  friends."  And  glancing  at  Laverne  she  al- 
most smiled.  These  Spanish  children  would  be  much 
more  likely  to  convert  her  to  their  faith.  Would  her 
uncle  mind,  she  wondered  ?  He  seemed  to  think  they 
all  stood  on  the  same  foundation. 

"You  have  not  been  here  long?"  and  there  was 
more  assertion  than  inquiry  in  the  tone. 

"  No,"  returned  the  younger  woman.  And  then  she 
told  a  part  of  her  story,  how  she  had  come  from  the 
east,  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  that  she  was  governess 
to  the  child,  and  housekeeper.  "  Did  the  Sefiora  know 
a  family  by  the  name  of  Vanegas  ?  " 

"  Ah,  yes,  they  were  old  friends.  Two  daughters, 
admirable  girls,  devoted  to  their  mother,  who  had  suf- 
fered much  and  whose  husband  had  made  away  with 


52       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

most  of  the  estates.  There  was  an  American  lady  in 
her  house,  she  rented  two  rooms." 

"  A  friend  of  mine.  She  came  from  the  same  place, 
and  we  have  known  each  other  from  girlhood." 

Then  the  ice  was  broken,  and  Miss  Holmes  in  a  cer- 
tain manner  was  vouched  for,  which  rather  amused 
her,  yet  she  accepted  the  Spanish  woman's  pride. 
Many  of  them  felt  as  if  they  had  been  banished  from 
their  own  land  by  these  usurpers.  Others  accepted 
the  new  order  of  things,  and  joined  heart  and  soul  in 
the  advancement  of  the  place,  the  advancement  of  their 
own  fortunes  also.  But  these  were  mostly  men.  The 
prejudice  of  the  women  died  harder. 

The  children  were  in  a  group  at  one  of  the  little 
hillocks,  much  amused  it  would  seem  by  their  laughter. 
And  the  two  women  patched  up  a  bit  of  friendship 
which  they  both  needed,  seeing  they  were  near  neigh- 
bors, and  interested  in  the  education  of  young  people, 
Miss  Holmes  listened  to  what  the  elder  woman  said 
and  did  not  contradict  or  call  the  ideas  old-fashioned. 
After  all  it  was  very  like  some  of  her  old  grand- 
mother's strictures,  and  she  was  a  staunch  Puritan. 
What  would  she  have  said  to  women  who  had  not  yet 
reached  middle  life,  and  had  planned  to  go  to  a  strange 
land  to  seek  their  fortunes ! 

The  Senora  was  so  well  satisfied  that  she  asked  Miss 
Holmes  to  come  and  take  coffee  and  sweetmeats  with 
her  the  next  afternoon. 

Oh,  how  lovely  the  hills  and  vales  were  as  they  wan- 
dered homeward.  For  now  it  was  the  time  of  growth 
and  bloom  and  such  sweetness  in  the  air  that  Marian 
Holmes  thought  of  the  gales  of  Araby  the  blest. 


A   QUEER  WINTER  53 

Truly  it  was  an  enchanted  land.  The  birds  were  fill- 
ing the  air  with  melody,  here  and  there  a  farmer  or 
gardener,  for  there  was  fine  cultivated  lands  about  the 
foothills,  and  even  higher  up  there  were  great  patches 
of  green  where  some  one  would  reap  a  harvest,  garden 
stuff  waving  or  running  about  rich  with  melon  blooms, 
here  the  blue  of  the  wild  forget-me-nots  and  the 
lupines.  And  further  on  flocks  of  sheep  nibbling  the 
tufts  of  grass  or  alfalfa.  Some  one  was  singing  a 
song,  a  rich,  young  voice: 

"  Oh,  Susanna,  don't  you  cry  for  me, 
I'm  goin'  to  California  with  my  banjo  on  my  knee." 

Here  and  there  in  a  clump  of  trees  was  a  dark  shadow, 
and  the  long  slant  rays  betokened  the  coming  of  even- 
ing. It  gave  one  a  luxurious  emotion,  as  if  here  was 
the  true  flavor  of  life. 

Miss  Holmes  was  feeling  a  little  sorry  for  those 
swept  off  of  their  own  land,  as  it  were. 

"  What  have  they  been  doing  with  it  these  hundreds 
of  years  ?  "  asked  Jason  Chadsey.  "  Even  the  Indians 
they  have  pretended  to  educate  are  little  better  off  for 
their  civilization.  And  think  how  the  gold  lay  un- 
touched in  the  hills!  Spain  still  has  the  Philippines 
with  all  her  treasures." 

It  rained  the  next  morning  with  a  musical  patter  on 
everything,  and  little  rivulets  ran  down  the  steps. 
Then  it  suddenly  lighted  up  and  all  San  Francisco  was 
glorified.  Pablo,  an  old  Mexican,  came  to  work  in  the 
little  garden  patch.  Laverne  said  her  lessons,  then 
went  out  to  find  her  squirrels  and  talk  to  her  birds  who 
came  to  enjoy  the  repast  of  crumbs,  and  then  went 


54       A  LITTLE   GIRL   IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

hunting  bugs  and  worms  for  their  importunate  babies. 
And  at  last  they  were  making  ready  for  their  walk. 

"  It  is  nice  to  go  out  visiting/'  Laverne  said,  as  she 
danced  along,  for  the  sunshine  and  the  magnetic  air 
had  gotten  into  the  child's  feet.  "  We  have  been  no- 
where but  at  Mrs.  Dawson's." 

"  And  Miss  Gaines." 

"  Oh,  that  isn't  really  visiting.  Just  a  little  cake 
and  fruit  on  a  plate.  And  now  she  is  so  busy  she  can 
hardly  look  at  you.  I  wish  we  lived  farther  up  in  the 
town.  Don't  you  think  Uncle  Jason  would  move  if 
you  said  you  did  not  like  it  here  ?  " 

"  But  I  do  like  it.  And  there  are  so  many  dreadful 
things  happening  all  about  the  town.  And  we  might 
be  burned  out." 

"  Well,  I  am  glad  of  the  Estenegas,  anyhow." 

The  old  place  was  like  some  of  the  other  old  homes 
going  to  decay  now,  but  it  was  so  embowered  with 
vines  that  one  hardly  noted  it.  The  chimney  had 
partly  fallen  in,  the  end  of  the  porch  roof  was  propped 
up  by  a  pile  of  stones.  But  the  great  veranda  was  a 
room  in  itself,  with  its  adobe  floor  washed  clean,  and  the 
big  jars  of  bloom  disposed  around,  the  wicker  chairs, 
the  piles  of  cushions,  and  the  low  seats  for  the  .children. 
Little  tables  stood  about  with  work,  many  of  the  women 
were  very  industrious,  the  mothers  thinking  of  possible 
trousseaus,  when  laces  and  fine  drawn  work  would  be 
needed.  Carmencita  had  her  cushion  on  her  knees, 
and  her  slim  fingers  carried  the  thread  over  the  pins  in 
and  out,  in  a  fashion  that  mystified  Laverne. 

"  It's  like  the  labyrinth,"  she  said. 

"  What  was  that  ?  "  glancing  up. 


A  QUEER  WINTER  55 

"  Why,  a  place  that  was  full  of  all  kinds  of  queer 
passages  and  you  did  not  know  how  to  get  out  unless 
you  took  a  bit  of  thread  and  wound  it  up  when  you 
came  back." 

"  But  I  know  where  I  am  going.  Now,  this  is  round 
the  edge  of  a  leaf.  I  leave  that  little  place  for  a  loop, 
and  then  I  come  back  so.  The  Sefiorita  Felicia  makes 
beautiful  lace  for  customers.  But  mine  will  be  for  my- 
self when  I  am  married." 

"  But  I  thought — you  were  going  to  a  convent,"  said 
Laverne,  wide-eyed, 

"  So  I  am.  But  that  will  be  for  education,  accom- 
plishments. And  there  are  more  Spanish  men  there," 
lowering  her  voice,  "  more  lovers.  Pepito  Martinez, 
who  lived  in  the  other  end  of  the  old  place,  down 
there,"  nodding  her  head  southward,  "  found  a  splen- 
did lover  and  was  married  in  the  chapel.  Her  mother 
went  on  to  live  with  her.  They  had  no  troublesome 
house  to  sell,"  and  she  sighed. 

"  Juana,"  exclaimed  the  mother,  "  get  thy  guitar. 
The  guests  may  like  some  music." 

Juana  rose  obediently.  She,  too,  was  older  than  La- 
verne, but  Anesta  younger.  She  seated  herself  on 
one  of  the  low  stools,  and  passed  a  broad  scarlet 
ribbon  about  her  neck,  which  made  her  look  very  pic- 
turesque. And  she  played  well,  indeed,  for  such  a 
child.  Then  she  sang  several  little  songs  in  a  soft,  ex- 
tremely youthful  voice.  Miss  Holmes  was  much  in- 
terested. 

The  children  were  sent  to  play.  There  was  a  little 
pond  with  several  tame  herons,  there  were  two  great 
cages  of  mocking  birds  that  sang  and  whistled  to  the 


56       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

discomfiture  of  the  brilliant  green  and  scarlet  parrot. 
The  children  ran  races  in  the  walk  bordered  with  wild 
olive  trees  on  the  one  side,  and  on  the  other  a  great 
tangle  of  flowers,  with  the  most  beautiful  roses  La- 
verne  had  ever  seen,  and  hundreds  of  them. 

"  Oh,  I  should  like  to  live  here,"  declared  Laverne. 

"  Then  ask  thy  uncle  to  buy.  The  Americanos  have 
money  in  plenty.  And  see  here.  It  is  my  tame  stork. 
His  leg  was  broken  so  he  could  not  fly.  Diego  bound 
it  up  and  he  staid  here.  But  when  he  sees  a  gun  he 
dashes  away  and  hides." 

He  had  a  number  of  amusing  tricks,  but  he  eyed  the 
strange  little  girl  suspiciously  and  would  not  let  her 
come  too  near. 

They  went  back  to  the  house  and  swung  in  the  ham- 
mock, talking  broken  English  and  Spanish  and  laugh- 
ing merrily  over  the  blunders.  Carmencita  put  away 
her  lace  and  began  to  prepare  two  of  the  small  tables, 
spreading  over  each  a  beautiful  cloth. 

Miss  Holmes  had  been  taken  through  the  apart- 
ments. There  were  three  on  the  lower  floor,  the 
kitchen  being  detached.  The  walls  were  a  dark  faded 
red,  the  windows  small,  with  odd  little  panes  of  glass. 
There  was  some  fine  old  furniture,  and  a  rug  soft  as 
velvet  on  the  floor  that  long  ago  had  crossed  the  ocean. 
Family  portraits  were  hung  high  on  the  wall,  and 
looked  down  frowningly,  the  brilliancy  of  their  gar- 
ments faded  and  tarnished,  but  Miss  Holmes  noted  that 
they  were  mostly  all  military  men.  In  the  next  room 
were  several  portraits  of  the  priests  of  the  family,  and 
hideous  copies  of  the  old  Madonnas.  In  this  room  a 
high  cabinet  of  wonderful  carving,  filled  with  curios 


A  QUEER  WINTER  57 

and  one  shelf  of  books.  The  third  was  evidently  a 
sitting  and  sleeping  chamber,  with  a  spindle-post  bed- 
stead and  canopy  of  faded  yellow  silk,  edgfed  with  old 
lace ;  while  the  bedspread  in  its  marvellous  handiwork 
would  have  filled  a  connoisseur  with  envy.  For 
two  hundred  years  or  more  there  had  been  Estenegas 
here,  and  then  the  old  part,  now  fallen  down,  had  its 
ballroom  and  its  long  dining  room  where  banquets 
and  wedding  feasts  had  been  given. 

"There  is  another  branch  of  the  family  at  Santa 
Margarita  who  have  not  fallen  into  decay  as  we  have, 
and  as  many  old  families  do.  I  dare  say  they  would  be 
glad  to  have  some  of  the  heirlooms.  They  have  young 
raen,  and  it  would  be  but  right  that  they  should  pro- 
pose to  marry  one  of  my  daughters." 

Carmen  summoned  her  mother  and  the  guest.  The 
tables  were  daintily  arranged  with  fruit  and  custards, 
some  sweet  fried  cakes  and  bread  covered  with  a 
sort  of  jelly  compound  that  was  very  appetizing,  with 
some  shredded  cold  chicken  highly  spiced.  For  drink, 
tea  for  the  elders,  but  fruit  juice  made  of  orange  and 
berries  for  the  young  people.  Carmencita  was  at  the 
table  with  her  mother,  the  three  others  together,  and 
they  had  a  merry  time. 

The  Senora  and  the  children  walked  part  of  the  way 
with  them.  Miss  Holmes  had  proposed  that  they 
should  come  up  in  the  morning  for  lessons  with  La- 
verne.  The  distance  to  the  Sisters'  school  was  too  great, 
and  now  one  dreaded  to  send  young  girls  through  the 
new  part  of  the  town. 

"  It  was  very  nice,"  declared  Laverne,  "  only  I  think 
I  like  the  little  Maine  girls  better.  They  understand 


58       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

more  quickly,  and  they  have  so  many  thoughts  about 
everything,  while  you  have  to  explain  continually  as 
you  talk  to  these  children." 

"  Perhaps  it  is  because  they  do  not  understand  the 
language,"  said  Miss  Holmes. 


CHAPTER  V 

PELAJO 

LAVERNE  was  about  to  reply,  with  the  feeling  of  su- 
perior knowledge,  "  It's  because  they  are  not  Amer- 
icans," when  she  caught  sight  of  Uncle  Jason,  Pablo, 
and  a  pile  of  rough  timber,  an  excavation  made  in  the 
side  hill,  a  slope  over  which  she  had  been  training  some 
blossoming  vines. 

"  Oh,  Uncle  Jason,"  she  cried,  with  eager  forbid- 
dance.  "  That's  my  garden.  What  are  you  going  to 
do?" 

"  Build  a  house  for  a  pony.  This  seemed  most 
convenient,  though  he  is  such  a  cunning  little  fellow  I 
think  we  could  have  trained  him  to  go  up  the  steps." 

His  shrewd,  humorous  smile  and  her  own  curiosity 
disarmed  her. 

"  The  pony  ?     Have  you  really " 

"  Well,  I  had  to  take  him  or  see  him  go  to  some  one 
else.  I  was  afraid  he  would  get  a  hard  master.  And 
he  is  such  a  pretty  intelligent  fellow.  He  talks,  his 
fashion.  And  he  laughs,  too." 

"  Oh,  now  you  are  making  fun." 

"  Well,  if  you  won't  have  him  I  can  sell  him  again. 
He's  just  fit  for  a  little  girl,  or  some  one  hardly  grown 
up." 

"  But  who  had  him  before?  " 

59 


60      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  A  young  lady.  A  delicate  little  body.  I've  had 
my  eye  on  him  some  time." 

"If  she  loved  him  why  did  she  want  to  sell  him?  " 
and  Laverne  glanced  up  with  a  kind  of  incredulity. 

"  She  was  going  away."  He  had  not  the  courage 
to  say  that  she  was  dead,  that  she  had  made  a  vain 
struggle  for  recovery,  and  failed. 

"  I  suppose  horses  are  not  quite  like  people,"  she 
returned  thoughtfully.  "  They  like  those  who  are  good 
to  them." 

"  Well — they're  grateful,  and  as  a  general  thing  ap- 
preciate kind  treatment.  Humans  don't  always  do 
that." 

She  had  not  gone  very  far  in  the  philosophy  of  in- 
gratitude, but  she  was  wondering  if  the  pony  had  been 
very  fond  of  his  mistress. 

"  This  place  was  the  handiest.  Then  he  can  go  crop- 
ping the  tufts  of  grass  about  here,  and  we  shall  not  have 
to  lug  the  feed  up  on  the  next  round,"  viewing  the  sort 
of  natural  terraces  with  a  squint  in  one  eye.  "  I'm 
sorry  about  the  posies." 

"  Oh,  well — they  grow  so  easily.  And  here  was  the 
spruce  tree,  and,  oh,  we  ought  to  have  a  big  veranda 
to  the  house,  where  we  could  sit  and  sew  and  I  could 
study  lessons  and  we  could  have  supper." 

"  But  the  place  isn't  really  mine,  you  know.  And 
I  shouldn't  want  to  spend  a  great  deal  of  money. 
Some  day  we  may  have  a  house  in  which  we  can  truly 
settle  ourselves." 

Miss  Holmes,  who  had  been  looking  on,  smiled  now. 
"  The  Senora  Estenega  is  very  anxious  to  sell,"  she 
said. 


PELAJO  61 

"  And  it  is  so  splendid  all  around.  There  are  trees 
and  trees  and  they  are  full  of  birds.  Oh,  you  never 
heard  such  singing.  And  the  flowers !  Why,  I  wanted 
to  dance  all  around  the  paths  for  very  gladness.  But 
it  was  dull  and  dark  inside,  and  full  of  ugly  portraits 
and  Virgins  and  hideous  babies." 

"  They  wouldn't  want  to  sell  the  pictures,  they  are 
old  family  relics,"  appended  Miss  Holmes. 

"  And  she  asks  a  fortune  for  the  estate.  These  old 
Spanish  people  have  caught  on  to  values  mighty  quick. 
But  a  house  for  the  pony  is  as  much  as  we  can  com- 
pass now.  In  a  few  years  you  shall  have  a  home  to 
your  liking." 

Miss  Holmes  went  within,  and  soon  there  was  a 
savory  smell  of  fish  frying  and  cakes  baking  on  a  bed 
of  coals. 

"  That  will  do  for  to-night,  Pablo,"  Jason  Chadsey 
said.  "  Come  early  to-morrow  morning  and  I  will 
show  you  about  the  posts." 

The  Mexican  nodded  slowly,  and  walked  to  the 
kitchen  door,  where  Miss  Holmes  gave  him  a  chunk 
of  bread  and  a  fish,  and  he  went  his  way. 

Uncle  Jason  washed  hands  and  face  in  true  Yankee 
fashion,  with  a  great  splurge.  He  had  enlarged  the 
rude  cistern  and  led  a  rivulet  of  clear  water  down  to 
it.  In  many  of  the  outlying  districts  there  were  but 
few  conveniences,  and  yet  San  Francisco  had  flashed 
into  existence  as  if  a  new  Kubla  Khan  had  decreed  it. 
Perhaps  no  city  in  the  world  could  boast  such  rapid  ad- 
vances, or  gain  in  population.  Those  early  years  will 
always  sound  like  a  fairy  tale.  But  it  had  some  of  the 
best  and  most  energetic  brain  and  brawn  from  the  East, 


62       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

whose  forefathers  had  settled  other  wildernesses  much 
less  promising. 

The  pony  shared  interest  with  the  visit  and  the 
promise  of  the  Estenega  girls  coming  up  every  morn- 
ing. She  was  a  very  happy  little  girl  to-night;  Uncle 
Jason  thought  she  had  not  been  quite  so  bright  of  late, 
but  now  her  eyes  flashed  with  an  eager  light,  and  her 
pretty  lips  melted  from  one  curve  to  another,  while  her 
voice  had  a  bird-like  gayety.  The  day  had  been  so 
full  and  taken  so  much  energy,  that  she  laid  her  head 
in  Miss  Holmes'  lap  and  went  fast  asleep.  Jason 
Chadsey  read  his  paper  by  the  light  of  the  smoky  lamp, 
and  Miss  Holmes  dreamed  of  clean,  orderly  Boston 
even  if  its  streets  did  run  crooked. 

The  Estenegas  were  certainly  not  bright  scholars. 
But  the  Yankee  schoolma'am  had  seen  obtuse  children 
before.  They  were  extremely  narrow  and  incurious 
as  to  real  knowledge,  but  anxious  to  get  on  with  Eng- 
lish. Laverne  flashed  up  and  down  the  walk.  Pablo 
set  up  the  frame,  put  on  a  rude  roof,  then  rilled  in  the 
chinks  with  a  common  kind  of  adobe.  The  pony  would 
not  live  much  indoors,  to  be  sure,  but  he  needed  some 
shelter. 

"  Do  you  know  what  his  name  is,  Pablo  ?  "  the  child 
asked. 

Pablo  shook  his  head.  He  was  a  dried-up  specimen, 
with  a  skin  like  leather  and  small  deep-set  eyes,  quite 
bowed  in  the  shoulders,  which  made  him  no  taller  than 
some  boys  of  a  dozen  years.  He  had  a  little  hut  of 
his  own  down  in  the  wilds,  and  he  often  lay  on  the 
sand  when  the  sun  was  too  hot,  and  drowsed  from 
pure  laziness. 


PELAJO  63 

Uncle  Jason  led  the  pony  home  at  night.  He  had 
been  well  kept,  for  his  coat  was  smooth,  just  far  enough 
off  of  black  to  be  a  rich  brown.  Shapely,  with  slender 
legs,  a  head  not  too  large  for  his  body,  a  flowing  mane, 
now  braided  up  in  tails,  flexible  nostrils  that  quivered 
with  every  breath,  and  the  most  beautiful  large,  dark 
eyes  that  looked  as  if  they  could  laugh  and  understand 
many  things. 

She  had  been  somewhat  dubious  all  along.  She  had 
really  felt  afraid  of  Bruno  at  first,  but  as  she  looked  at 
the  merry  eyes  she  laughed. 

"  Yes,  I  do  like  you,"  she  said.  "  I'm  glad  you  are 
not  any  larger.  And  his  tail  almost  sweeps  the 
ground,"  watching  her  uncle,  who  was  patting  his  neck 
and  smoothing  down  to  his  nose,  and  talking  in  a  per- 
suasive voice. 

"  Maybe  you  won't  like  his  name.  He  comes  of 
good  stock,  it  seems,  and  if  he  was  ten  years  younger 
would  be  worth  a  pile  of  money." 

"  Why,  he  doesn't  look  old.     And  his  name " 

"  Is  Pelajo." 

She  repeated  it,  and  he  came  a  step  nearer.  She 
ventured  to  pat  him,  and  then  she  reached  up  and  put 
her  arm  over  his  neck.  Uncle  Jason  handed  her  a 
lump  of  sugar,  but  she  drew  back  as  his  soft  nose 
touched  her  hand. 

"  You  must  learn  to  give  him  tidbits,  even  a  hand- 
ful of  grass  or  wild  oats." 

"  Oh,  I  shall  like  you  very  much,  I  know,"  she  de- 
clared, in  a  glad  voice,  and  he  seemed  to  understand, 
for  he  rubbed  against  her  shoulder,  and  this  time  she 
did  not  shrink  away.  He  was  used  to  being  caressed 


64      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Perhaps  he  dumbly  questioned  what  had  become  of  his 
sweet  young  mistress  who  had  petted  him  the  last  year. 

It  was  so  warm  they  tethered  him  and  set  Bruno  to 
keep  watch,  for  there  were  many  prowlers  and  thieves 
about;  not  quite  as  many  down  here  perhaps,  since 
horses  and  money  were  the  only  desirable  things  in 
their  estimation.  He  was  all  right  in  the  morning. 
The  first  thing  Laverne  did  was  to  rush  out  and  greet 
him,  and  he  seemed  quite  as  glad  to  see  her. 

She  did  shake  a  little  when  she  was  perched  up  on 
his  back,  but  Uncle  Jason  walked  beside  her  up  and 
down  the  gravelly  path,  and  after  a  little  it  was  really 
exhilarating.  When  she  had  taken  two  or  three  les- 
sons she  felt  quite  safe  and  began  to  enjoy  it.  Uncle 
Jason  taught  her  to  ride  astride  as  well;  it  might  be 
useful,  he  declared,  and  certainly  was  a  common-sense 
view  of  the  matter.  So  Pelajo  grew  into  the  little  girl's 
heart. 

On  Sunday  morning  she  always  went  to  church  with 
Miss  Holmes,  and  the  churches  were  really  well  filled 
if  the  rest  of  the  day  was  devoted  to  pleasure.  The 
lovely  spring  was  now  over,  though  fruit  trees  were 
still  blooming  and  laden  with  fruit.  But  there  had 
been  a  few  days  that  seemed  to  scorch  up  everything 
and  dry  up  the  small  streams  and  cisterns. 

The  church  bells  were  ringing  in  a  leisurely,  devoted 
fashion.  "  Come  to  church  for  rest  and  refreshment," 
they  said,  when  suddenly  there  was  a  wild  clangor  and 
each  one  looked  at  his  neighbor  with  frightened  eyes, 
or  stood  motionless,  not  knowing  which  way  to  turn. 
Then  something  shot  up  in  the  air,  scarlet  against  the 
sunshine,  and  the  cry  of  terror  rang  out,  "  Fire !  Fire !  " 


PELAJO  65 

There  had  been  a  fear  lest  the  gang  of  lawless 
desperadoes  who  had  half  threatened  and  half  laughed 
about  keeping  the  anniversary  of  the  great  fire  the 
year  before  would  make  some  endeavor.  But  June  I4th 
had  passed,  though  there  had  been  unusual  watchful- 
ness. After  a  week  the  orderly  part  of  the  city 
breathed  more  freely.  And  this  day  seemed  almost 
like  a  special  thanksgiving  for  safety.  Before  they 
had  time  to  voice  it  the  red  terror  began.  Crowds  with 
hymn  and  prayer  books  in  their  hands  paused  paralyzed 
before  the  church  they  had  made  such  efforts  to  gain 
and  enjoyed  so  thoroughly,  the  brief  five  months  they 
had  worshipped  in  it.  And  now  they  fled  up  and  down 
the  streets,  while  the  fire  swept  this  way  and  that  with 
a  tremendous  roar.  From  Pacific  over  to  Jackson 
Street,  Washington,  Stockton,  Dupont.  Goods  and  in- 
valids were  hurried  out  to  the  Plaza,  and  then  the  wind 
swept  the  fire  this  way  and  that,  and  they  had  to  fly 
again  and  save  nothing.  Buildings  were  blown  up 
with  a  horrid  din  like  war.  And  so  for  four  mortal 
hours  of  frantic  endeavor  with  no  reservoirs  near.  And 
when  it  had  ceased  to  spread  it  lay  a  great  mass  of 
charred  and  smouldering  ruins,  and  several  lives  had 
gone  with  it.  That  it  was  the  work  of  incendiaries 
there  could  be  no  doubt.  Ruined  men  invoked  the  arm 
of  speedy  justice  if  they  could  not  have  law. 

In  one  way  it  was  not  so  disastrous  as  the  fire  of  the 
year  before,  which  had  taken  the  business  part  and  im- 
mense stocks  of  goods.  This  was  more  of  a  residential 
section,  but  homeless  people  were  running  to  and  fro, 
wild  with  the  agony  of  loss  of  all  they  had.  Parents 
and  children  separated,  elderly  people  wandering  about 


66      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

in  a  dazed  condition,  the  scene  one  of  the  wildest  con- 
fusion. 

Miss  Holmes  had  decided  to  go  over  to  hear  Mr. 
Williams,  instead  of  the  church  nearer  by,  which  she 
usually  attended.  Then  they  would  go  to  Mr.  Daw- 
son's  for  lunch,  and  meet  Miss  Gaines  and  bring  her 
home  with  them.  At  first  she  thought  she  could  find 
a  way  through,  but  the  fire  spread  so  rapidly  over  to 
Montgomery  Street,  that  she  did  not  dare  venture.  It 
might  go  down  to  the  very  edge  of  the  bay  and  on  its 
march  take  in  the  Dawsons.  She  held  tight  to  Laverne, 
and  used  strenuous  efforts  to  force  her  way  through, 
but  throngs  were  coming  up,  drawn  by  a  weird  fasci- 
nation such  as  a  fire  always  exercises.  The  child  began 
to  cry.  Her  hat  was  torn  off.  Oh,  if  anything  should 
happen  to  her ! 

After  a  while  the  way  began  to  grow  clearer,  but  it 
seemed  as  if  she  was  in  a  new  place. 

"  Oh,  I'm  so  tired,"  cried  Laverne.  "  And  my  foot 
hurts.  Let  us  sit  down." 

They  were  out  of  the  well-built  part.  A  tall  old 
pine  offered  shelter.  She  sat  down  on  the  dry  earth 
and  took  the  child  in  her  lap. 

"  Oh,  do  you  think  Uncle  Jason  will  be  burned  up  ?  " 
she  moaned.  "  If  we  could  only  find  him.  And  will 
our  house  go,  too  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no,  dear.  It  is  in  a  different  direction.  That 
will  be  safe." 

"  If  we  could  only  get  there.  Do  you  think  Pelajo 
will  be  frightened?  And  everything  looks  so  strange 
here.  Are  you  not  afraid  of  all  these  wild  men  ?  " 

They  seemed,  indeed,  inhabitants  of  every  clime. 


PELAJO  67 

And  though  they  looked  sharply  at  the  woman  and 
child,  no  one  molested  them. 

"  Are  you  rested  now  ?     Shall  we  go  home  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  do  hope  Uncle  Jason  is  there.  What  if  he 
had  come  to  the  fire  and  was  killed !  " 

"  Hush,  dear !    Don't  think  of  such  a  thing." 

What  would  she  do  alone  with  the  child  if  any  un- 
toward accident  happened  to  him  ?  She  shuddered ! 

They  picked  their  way  over  strange  places,  but  they 
still  saw  the  black  smoke  of  the  holocaust  going  sky- 
ward. Miss  Holmes  kept  one  or  two  objective  points 
in  mind.  True,  streets  had  been  laid  out,  but  they  were 
overgrown  with  brush  and  the  rampant  cactus,  with 
tangles  of  vines.  In  some  places  they  had  begun  to 
wither.  Rabbits  scurried  hither  and  thither,  amazed  at 
the  steps.  Birds  were  still  carolling  as  if  there  was 
naught  but  joy  in  the  world. 

"And  I  am  so  hungry!  Oh,  when  will  we  get 
home  ?  Suppose  we  are  lost  ?  "  complained  the  child 
wearily. 

"  I  think  we  have  been  lost,  but  now  I  see  where  we 
are,"  the  elder  exclaimed,  in  a  hopeful  tone.  "  It  is 
not  far.  And  then  we  will  have  a  nice  supper.  Poor, 
tired  little  girl,  I  wish  I  could  carry  you." 

"  Oh,  you  couldn't,"  and  there  was  a  sound  in  her 
voice  as  if  she  had  smiled.  "  But  if  it  isn't  much  far- 
ther— my  legs  feel  as  if  they  would  drop  off." 

"  We  have  come  ever  so  much  out  of  our  way.  I 
could  not  see  in  the  crowd,  and  it  pushed  one  about  so. 
I  never  want  to  see  another  fire." 

"  Oh,  now  I  know."  Laverne  let  go  of  the  elder's 
hand,  and  in  spite  of  fatigue  gave  two  or  three  skips. 


68       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Could    I    make    Bruno    hear,    I    wonder?     Bruno! 
Bru— no!" 

Either  she  made  him  hear  or  he  had  a  presentiment. 
He  came  bounding  through  the  brush  with  short,  sharp 
barks  of  joy,  and  lunged  so  against  Laverne  that  she 
nearly  lost  her  balance. 

"  Oh,  good  doggie,  good  Bruno !  "  she  cried,  in  joy. 
"  What  if  there  were  dogs  burned  up  in  the  fire,  and 
maybe  horses  ?  " 

Miss  Holmes  shuddered.  She  had  seen  some  men 
carrying  a  mattress  with  a  human  body,  when  a  fierce 
blazing  brand  had  failed  in  it,  and  though  she  turned 
her  head  then,  she  almost  screamed  now. 

They  dropped  down  on  the  small  porch  steps  and  sat 
there  a  few  moments. 

"  I  must  go  and  see  Pelajo,"  Laverne  said,  weary  as 
she  was. 

He  whinnied  with  joy,  and  rubbed  his  nose  on  her 
small  hand. 

"  Oh,  Pelajo,  I  am  so  glad  you  were  not  in  the  fire," 
and  she  could  have  kissed  him  for  very  thankfulness. 

Uncle  Jason  was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  When  Miss 
Holmes  was  a  little  rested  she  built  a  fire  and  put  on 
the  kettle.  There  was  part  of  the  leg  of  lamb  they  had 
had  yesterday,  and  the  pie  she  had  baked  early  this 
morning.  For  in  spite  of  all  his  wanderings,  Jason 
Chadsey  had  preserved  his  New  England  fondness  for 
such  pies  as  a  New  England  woman  could  make.  And 
there  was  a  great  bowl  of  delicious  berries. 

They  had  their  meal,  being  puzzled  just  what  to  call 
it,  since  it  was  a  little  too  early  for  supper.  Then  they 
swung  in  the  hammocks  while  old  Pablo  came  to  look 


PELAJO  69 

after  Pelajo,  and  talk  about  the  fire,  which  he  insisted 
was  still  burning.  They  waited  and  waited  until  the 
poor  little  girl  begged  to  go  to  bed. 

"  It  hasn't  seemed  a  bit  like  Sunday,"  she  murmured 
sleepily. 

Then  Marian  Holmes  swung  drowsily  in  the  ham- 
mock again.  Through  the  opening  between  two  trees 
she  could  see  the  great  glowing  stars  that  seemed  as 
gorgeous  again  as  in  the  eastern  skies.  There  were 
screams  of  night  birds,  the  long  note  of  the  owl,  the 
tree  frog  beseeching  stridently  for  rain.  Now  and  then 
Bruno  would  flip  his  ears  or  straighten  them,  and  at 
last  he  gave  a  sudden  rush  down  the  street,  and  re- 
turned with  his  master,  but  the  clock  had  struck 
ten. 

He  dropped  on  the  step  as  they  had  done. 

"  Were  you  alarmed  when  you  came  from  church  ? 
Of  course  you  knew  about  the  fire." 

"  We  were  really  in  it,"  and  Miss  Holmes  detailed 
her  day,  leaving  out  some  of  the  most  trying  incidents. 

"  Thank  God  you  came  back  safely,"  he  returned, 
with  deep  feeling.  "  It  was  a  most  awful  catastrophe. 
There  has  been  an  indignation  meeting  held,  and  some 
of  the  miscreants  will  be  brought  to  justice.  Then, 
there  must  be  better  arrangements  for  fighting  fires. 
It  was  a  terrific  sight,  and  there  are  hundred?  of  home- 
less people.  The  best  provision  that  could  be,  was 
made  for  them.  Generous-hearted  people  *ook  them 
in,  supplied  them  with  food.  Accidents  were  plentiful. 
Yet  it  has  been  a  terrible  day,  but  if  I  had  thought  of 
you  and  the  child  being  there " 

"  Oh,  you  couldn't,  you  see.    And  we  came  safely 


70       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

out  of  it  all,  so  don't  feel  distressed.  Will  you  have 
some  supper?  " 

"  Yes.  Though  I  was  at  the  Dawsons'  and  had  a 
meal.  They  came  mighty  near  going  once  or  twice, 
if  a  dangerous  gust  of  wind  had  lasted  longer.  And 
the  crowds  that  poured  in  upon  them!  The  courage 
of  these  people  seems  superhuman,  but  it  has  been 
severely  tried  now.  I  do  not  believe  any  city  ever 
suffered  so  much  by  fire  and  had  the  pluck  to  go  on 
again." 

She  began  to  busy  herself  about  the  meal.  He 
leaned  against  the  flat  post  and  went  sound  asleep, 
though  he  wakened  easily.  Then  leaving  her  dishes, 
an  unusual  thing  for  her,  she  retired  herself. 

For  days  the  fire  was  the  uppermost  subject.  They 
had  always  planned  rebuilding  before  with  tremendous 
energy,  but  now  courage  seemed  to  wane  in  this  direc- 
tion. But  it  was  taken  up  energetically  in  others. 
The  great  want  of  water  in  the  fire  department  had 
to  be  remedied  speedily,  and  at  any  cost.  Money  was 
offered  freely. 

The  other  was  a  more  strenuous  effort  for  the  pun- 
ishment of  criminals,  and  a  rigorous  observance  of 
law. 

Among  the  immigrants  had  been  convicts  from  dif- 
ferent lands,  lawless  men  who  formed  themselves  into 
bands  for  plunder  and  maliciousness.  Clark's  Point, 
Broadway,  and  one  end  of  Pacific  Street  was  called 
Sydney  Town  from  its  great  number  of  convicts  and 
ticket-of-leave  men  from  the  Colonies;  and  to  them 
were  added  the  criminally  inclined  from  the  States, 
who  had  left  their  own  cities  for  the  city's  good.  And 


PELAJO  ^l 

out  of  the  earnest  endeavor  to  put  a  stop  to  the  law- 
lessness and  crime  the  Vigilance  Committee  was 
formed.  Then  an  old  Mexican  law  was  exhumed  that 
forbade  the  emigration  to  California  of  criminals 
convicted  of  crime  elsewhere.  Notices  were  served 
upon  many  vicious  persons  and  they  were  com- 
pelled to  leave  the  city.  And  with  it  all  grew  a  greater 
regard  for  law  and  order. 

Energy  and  perseverance  did  not  fail,  it  is  true,  and 
the  confidence  born  of  the  geographical  knowledge  that 
this  must  eventually  be  the  great  highway  of  trade,  and 
the  idea  of  a  glorious  future  destiny,  inspired  the  really 
solid  portion  of  the  community  to  continue  their  efforts 
to  make  it  the  city  of  the  world.  Still,  many  of  the 
middle  classes,  discouraged  by  misfortunes,  returned  to 
their  native  cities.  Others  went  further  south  in  the 
more  equable  climate  and  became  farmers.  Still  others 
wooed  by  the  endless  forests  further  north,  and  the 
many  advantages  for  starting  new  cities  on  a  better 
industrial  foundation,  went  to  seek  better  fortunes. 
The  city  never  could  recover  from  all  the  evils  it  was 
said.  But  the  splendid  bay  and  the  magnificent  harbor 
were  left,  the  gold  fields  were  not  exhausted.  And 
now  arose  the  demand  for  a  railroad  across  the  Con- 
tinent, which  had  a  hard  fight  for  many  years,  but 
succeeded  at  length. 

At  Clark's  Point  a  huge  rock  was  quarried,  and  re- 
moved, and  the  hill  excavated  to  make  room  for  new 
streets.  Sansome  and  Battery  Streets  were  carried  out 
and  filled  up  with  the  debris.  The  wharves  were 
pushed  further  out,  great  warehouses  built,  and  though 
it  was  a  fact  that  fewer  people  came  to  seek  their  for- 


72       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

tunes,  more  brought  with  them  the  idea  of  settling. 
Wherever  any  tiny  stream  ran  among  the  sand  hills 
numerous  vegetable  gardens  were  laid  out,  and  the  fer- 
tility was  remarkable.  Markets  opened  here  and  there, 
the  New  World  Market,  enlarged  and  improved,  where 
it  seemed  as  if  one  might  buy  all  the  luxuries  of  the 
world.  San  Francisco  began  to  lose  the  characteristics 
of  a  Spanish  or  Mexican  town,  how  could  such  drowsy 
ways  be  tolerated  among  the  adventurous,  hard-work- 
ing people ! 

There  came  to  be  an  admixture  of  foreign  races — 
musical  Germans;  light-hearted,  theatre  and  dance- 
loving  French;  some  from  different  Mongolian  coun- 
tries, who  looked  on  with  grave  faces,  seldom  affiliat- 
ing, and  the  Chinese,  who  made  a  settlement  of  their 
own,  many  of  them  content  to  be  hewers  of  wood  and 
drawers  of  water,  laundrymen  and  servants,  but  others 
aspiring  to  the  rank  of  merchants,  even  bringing  their 
wives  later  on. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  bay,  settlements  were 
changing  into  towns,  and  business  seemed  to  run  riot 
everywhere.  There  was  no  lack  of  employment  for 
those  willing  to  work. 

All  these  things  were  far  away  from  the  little  girl's 
life.  She  studied  because  she  loved  to  know  about 
everything,  that  was  a  New  England  heritage.  She 
acquired  Spanish  rapidly,  while  the  Estenega  girls 
were  stumbling  over  English.  The  Senora  came  up 
one  afternoon  and  they  had  a  sort  of  high  tea,  with 
game  of  several  kinds,  a  bird  pie,  and  a  pudding  that 
would  have  rejoiced  the  heart  of  a  far  Easterner.  It 
was  a  wonderful  feast  for  the  children,  but  the  Senora 


PELAJO  73 

shook  her  head  gravely  over  the  superabundance  of 
luxuries. 

"  Was  not  the  little  girl  going  to  learn  lace-making 
and  drawn-work  that  she  would  want  presently  for  her 
trousseau  ?  And  were  not  the  catechism  and  the  prayers, 
confirmation,  music,  and  languages  enough  for  any 
girl?  And  these  new  Americanos,  who  dressed  in 
silks  and  velvets,  and  trailed  up  and  down  the  streets 
nodding  and  laughing  to  men ! "  and  the  Senora 
shuddered. 

It  was  very  true  that  stylishly  attired  women  prom- 
enaded the  two  shopping  streets  where  the  windows 
were  full  of  rich  goods.  For  the  early  settlers  had 
not  to  spin  and  weave  in  this  golden  country.  Vessels 
were  coming  in  frequently  laden  with  goods  from  al- 
most everywhere.  India  and  China  sent  treasures, 
France  and  England  did  not  lag  behind.  So  the  women 
went  gorgeously  arrayed,  leaned  out  of  handsome  pri- 
vate equipages,  as  if  they  were  queens.  For  gold  was 
found  in  most  unexpected  places,  and  miners  came  in 
only  to  waste  and  gamble  it  away. 

The  old  Spanish  residents  shook  their  heads  over 
this  wild  extravagance,  and  clung  more  closely  to  their 
Church  and  the  old  ways.  Even  the  natives  were  often 
amazed.  There  were  not  a  few  who  had  Spanish 
blood,  and  proud  enough  they  were  of  it.  The  emigra- 
tion of  the  French  began  to  exercise  an  influence  upon 
the  heterogeneous  society.  The  skilled  workman  gave 
a  finer  air  to  shops  and  buildings;  the  higher  classes, 
lured  by  the  wonderful  reports,  added  their  ease  and 
refinement  to  the  society,  gradually  crystallizing  into 
settled  classes. 


74       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  It  is  not  all  the  Americans,"  Miss  Holmes  said,  in 
answer  to  the  Senora's  strictures.  "  All  the  Eastern 
cities  I  have  seen  are  quite  unlike  this.  They  grew 
slowly,  and  each  from  its  own  peculiar  industry.  We 
had  no  gold  mines  on  the  Eastern  coast,  and  you  are 
likely  to  prize  more  highly  the  fortunes  you  have  to 
struggle  for.  Here  we  have  every  nation,  it  seems  to 
me,  and  often  the  very  liberty  of  choice  degenerates 
into  license.  But  it  is  hardly  fair  to  blame  it  all  on 
our  people." 

"  They  have  invaded  us  and  taken  away  our  land, 
our  rights.  Years  ago  we  were  happy  and  content, 
and  now  it  is  all  excitement,  and  if  you  do  not  join 
you  are  pushed  to  the  wall,  driven  out.  The  gold  in 
the  hills  was  all  ours." 

"  But  you  let  it  lie  there.  Yes,  you  could  have  dis- 
covered it.  It  was  the  wild  dream  of  more  than  one 
explorer,  and  yet  he  never  tapped  the  great  secrets  the 
land  held." 

Now  that  the  hitherto  placid  Spanish  woman  was 
roused  she  went  over  the  ground  with  great  bitterness, 
the  war,  the  ceding  of  the  country,  the  influx  of  the 
nations  for  greed.  Half  her  talk  lapsed  into  her  native 
tongue.  Miss  Holmes  pitied  her  in  a  certain  way,  but 
was  it  not  the  old,  old  story  since  De  Soto  had  crossed 
the  Continent  and  Tonti  came  down  the  Mississippi? 
The  weaker  nation  was  always  distanced  by  the 
stronger.  And  was  supine  content  a  virtue  ? 

Meanwhile,  the  children  had  a  merry  time.  Carmen 
gained  courage  to  mount  Pelajo  and  rode  around  in 
fine  style.  The  younger  ones  wanted  their  turn. 
When  they  were  called  in  to  tea  their  cheeks  glowed, 


PELAJO  75 

their  eyes  were  bright  with  excitement,  and  they 
chattered  like  a  flock  of  birds. 

The  Sefiora  looked  on  in  surprise. 

"  Do  you  always  allow  so  much  wildness  ? "  she 
asked,  in  a  rather  disapproving  tone. 

If  they  had  a  little  frolic  their  walk  home  always 
sobered  them. 

"  Oh,  no,"  returned  Miss  Holmes,  with  a  smile. 
"  They  have  lessons.  This  is  a  holiday.  And  I  am 
glad  for  Laverne  to  have  companions.  We  sometimes 
think  she  gets  too  grave." 

"  Girls,"  and  their  mother  rapped  on  the  table. 
What  with  their  laughing,  the  broken  English,  and  the 
Spanish  they  were  in  quite  a  whirl.  Laverne  looked 
on  more  calmly.  Indeed,  the  Senora  was  a  little  angry 
that  she  seemed  rather  to  shame  her  girls. 

"  Oh,  please,  Senora,  do  not  scold  them.  We  were 
so  merry  riding  the  pony.  He  is  almost  human.  And 
he  understood  Spanish.  I  did  not  know  that  be- 
fore." 

Laverne's  face  was  a  study,  in  its  sweet  pleading. 
The  girls  quieted  down,  and  their  mother  looked  less 
severe,  but  she  was  considering 'a  proper  penance. 

The  moon  came  up  early.  How  magnificently  the 
soft  light  silvered  all  the  open  spaces,  until  one  forgot 
the  drought.  Each  twig  that  swayed  to  and  fro  in  the 
translucent  air  seemed  alive. 

Miss  Holmes  and  Laverne  walked  some  distance 
with  their  guests,  leaving  Bruno  to  keep  watch.  They 
parted  with  the  utmost  cordiality. 

"  We  have  had  such  a  splendid  time,"  whispered 
Carmencita.  "  I  wish  I  was  an  American  girl  and  had 


76       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

a  good  indulgent  uncle  such  as  thou  hast,  little  one. 
Then  I  would  not  care  to  go  to  the  convent." 

Laverne  was  astonished  at  the  outburst,  for  Carmen 
had  heretofore  rather  cavilled  at  Americans.  They 
walked  back  in  silence  until  they  met  Bruno's  greeting. 

"  Didn't  you  have  a  nice  time  with  the  girls  ?  "  Miss 
Holmes  asked. 

"  Oh,  yes !  Carmen  was — well,  I  think  I  have  been 
not  exactly  afraid  of  her,  but  she  seemed  so  much  older, 
and  this  afternoon  she  was  splendid.  And  she  wished 
— what  do  you  think — that  she  was  an  American  girl ! 
And  I  wish  I  knew  some  American  girls." 

"  You  will  go  to  school  presently.  Your  uncle  was 
talking  of  it." 

The  thought  startled  the  little  girl.  She  was  not 
quite  sure  she  liked  it. 

"  Oh,  there  he  is  now,"  and  she  ran  to  meet  him. 
The  moon  was  up  higher  and  it  was  lighter.  Her 
hands  were  outstretched,  but  he  caught  her  under  the 
arms  and,  lifting  her  up,  gave  her  several  kisses.  It 
was  so  gratifying  to  have  her  always  glad  to  see  him. 

Then  he  put  her  down  and  she  caught  his  hand  in 
both  of  hers  and  went  a  hop  and  a  skip,  giving  short, 
soft  laughs. 

"  I'm  late.     Did  you  eat  up  all  the  supper?  " 

"  Oh,  we  had  ours  early.  The  Estenegas  were  here, 
the  mother  and  all.  We  had  a  good,  good  time,"  with 
emphasis.  "They  all  rode  Pelajo.  Anesta  fell  off 
twice,  but  it  didn't  hurt  any,  she  asked  us  not  to  tell. 
And  oh,  how  hungry  they  were !  " 

"Little  girls  ought  always  to  be  hungry.  That 
makes  them  grow." 


PELAJO  77 

"  And  Carmen  wished  she  had  an  uncle  like  you." 

"  Why — she  has  scarcely  seen  me." 

"But  then  I  talk  about  you,"  the  child  added, 
naively. 

"  Well — do  you  want  to  give  me  away  ?  " 

"  Oh  no,  no." 

"  Or  shall  we  adopt  her?  " 

A  positive  unwillingness  sprang  up  in  the  child's 
heart. 

"  I  think  her  mother  would  not  let  her  come,"  she 
replied  evasively. 

"  But  you  would  like  her  ?  You  are  tired  of  being 
alone." 

"  No,  I  don't  want  any  one  but  you  for  all  time," 
she  admitted,  a  little  jealously. 

He  laughed.     He  was  fond  of  this  confession. 

Miss  Holmes'  supper  was  satisfactory  to  the  hungry 
man  as  well.  Afterward  they  went  out  and  sat  on  the 
flat  stone  step.  That  always  made  him  think  of  his 
boyhood. 

"  Little  one,"  he  began,  "  how  would  you  like  to 
move  ?  Or  are  the  Estenegas  too  dear  to  give  up  ?  " 

"  Move !  "  in  a  tone  of  surprise. 

"  Yes.  We  haven't  much  worldly  goods,  as  these 
traps  do  not  belong  to  us.  But  we  can  take  ourselves, 
Bruno,  and  Pelajo." 

"  Where  would  we  go  ?  " 

"  Quite  far  from  here.     Up  on  Telegraph  Hill." 

"Oh,  that  would  be  splendid!  We  could  always 
see  the  bay,  and  over  the  strait  to  all  the  mountains 
beyond.  Yes,  I  should  like  to  go." 

"  Well,  I  am  glad.     It  will  be  more  convenient  for 


78       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

me,  but  we  would  have  to  go,  anyhow.  This  place  has 
been  sold." 

"  Is  there  a  stable  ?  And  I  think  I  would  like  a 
garden.  And  at  least  one  tree." 

He  laughed. 

"  They  have  been  taking  down  part  of  the  hill. 
No  doubt  some  day  they  will  take  it  all  down.  That 
is  the  fashion  of  cities.  But  our  end  not  being  so  high 
will  not  be  disturbed  for  some  time  to  come." 

"  This  has  been  nice,"  she  said  retrospectively. 
"  But  I  shall  like  the  new  place,  and  the  bay,  and — 
and " 

"And  the  change,"  he  laughed.  Then  he  called 
Miss  Holmes,  who  had  put  away  the  last  of  her  dishes, 

He  had  talked  this  over  with  her  before,  but  he  had 
not  made  his  bargain  until  to-day.  Then  they  settled 
a  few  of  the  most  important  points.  There  were  to 
be  some  repairs  made,  but  they  could  go  the  next 
week.  And  to-morrow  he  would  take  them  up  to  see 
it. 

"  Will  you  like  to  go  ? "  Laverne  asked  of  Miss 
Holmes  as  they  were  preparing  for  bed. 

"  Yes,  I  think  I  shall.  We  shall  be  so  much  nearer 
everything.  We  can  often  walk  down  among  the 
stores.  And  we  shall  be  nearer  Miss  Gaines.  You 
will  miss  the  Estenega  girls." 

"  But  there  may  be  other  girls.  I'd  like  to  know 
some  new  ones,"  and  there  was  a  sound  of  delightful 
expectation  in  her  voice. 


CHAPTER  VI 

A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK 

IT  was  almost  being  in  a  new  town,  Laverne  thought. 
They  had  trotted  all  over  this  bluff,  to  be  sure;  they 
had  looked  over  to  Sausalito,  up  and  down  the  bay,  and 
to  the  wonderful  ocean  that  reached  to  China.  But  be- 
fore they  had  been  rather  hidden  away  in  a  valley 
between  the  ridges,  and  from  the  windows  you  could 
see  very  little.  She  was  quite  wild  at  first,  running1 
from  window  to  window,  and  calling  on  Miss  Holmes 
to  see  this  or  that. 

Then  they  had  a  Chinaman  to  come  in  and  help  them 
settle,  and  that  amused  her  very  much.  He  under- 
stood, but  could  not  speak  much  English,  and  she  did 
wonder  why  he  should  tack  another  syllable  to  the 
short  words  by  adding  the  double  e.  But  he  was  very 
handy  and  obedient,  quick  to  see,  and  the  soft  shoes 
that  made  no  clatter  allowed  him  to  go  about  so  quietly 
that  he  often  surprised  one.  His  name  was  Ah  Ling. 

"I  think  I  like  Pablo  better,"  she  said  gravely. 
"  Then  he  knows  so  many  things  about  the  country 
and  the  missions  and  the  priests,  and  the  races  of  the 
Spaniards,  and  they  did  have  bull  fights,  you  know, 
they  have  some  now.  Uncle  Jason  said  he  must  not  tell 
me  about  them,  they  were  too  cruel.  Do  you  suppose 
Pablo  will  come?" 

79 


8o       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Jason  Chadsey  had  made  the  old  Mexican  an  offer 
to  come  and  live  with  them,  but  he  was  loath  to  leave 
his  little  hut  and  his  independence.  He  knew  Pablo 
could  be  trusted  anywhere  with  the  little  girl,  and 
that  he  was  a  good  gardener.  He  had  even  offered 
him  a  new  hut,  and  Pablo  was  taking  matters  into  con- 
sideration as  he  lolled  in  the  sun  and  smoked  his  pipe. 
He  did  not  want  to  be  too  hard  worked,  what  good 
did  so  much  money  do  these  Americanos;  they  went 
on  working  and  working  and  hustling  the  life  out  of 
one. 

Here  was  the  old  Franciscan  Mission  where  the  first 
settlement  was  made  by  the  Fathers.  It  might  have 
had  the  semi-solitude  in  those  early  years,  for  all 
about  was  poetic  enough.  When  it  became  a  Mexican 
province  early  in  the  century  it  had  been  stripped  of 
its  treasures,  and  was  even  now  a  poor  unsightly  ruin 
with  its  few  padres  eking  out  their  subsistence  and 
saying  prayers  for  the  living  and  the  dead  in  the  little 
Campo  Santo.  Presently  a  modern  cathedral  was  to 
overshadow  it,  but  that  had  not  come  yet,  with  the 
shops  and  dwellings  that  were  to  crowd  it  still  closer. 
But  now  there  were  outlying  fields,  tangles  of  shrub- 
bery and  vines  run  wild.  Not  so  many  trees  as  farther 
down,  but  still  some  that  withstood  the  ocean  blasts. 
And  there  was  Alcatras  and  Buena  Yerba;  almost 
within  a  stone's  throw,  it  seemed,  in  the  clear  air  that 
often  foreshortened  space.  Laverne  never  wearied 
studying  the  marvellous  pictures,  and  when  her 
thoughts  went  back  to  the  dreary  little  Maine  village 
she  always  gave  a  shiver. 

The  house  was  a  newer  one,  its  first  story  of  adobe, 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  81 

as  so  many  were  in  the  early  days.  It  was  not  nearly 
so  small,  to  begin  with,  and  there  was  so  much  enter- 
tainment buying  furniture  and  supplying  household 
needs.  Jason  Chadsey  had  picked  up  a  number  of 
curious  articles  from  the  ships  coming  in  from  foreign 
ports,  some  that  would  have  been  the  envy  of  a  con- 
noisseur. 

But  the  early  spring  was  rushing  on  again  and  every 
leaf  and  spear  and  weed  grew  as  if  by  magic. 

One  morning  they  had  a  visitor  who  came  in  a  car- 
riage, and  Miss  Holmes  glanced  out  in  some  surprise. 

"  Why,  it's  my  friend  Miss  Alwood — you  remem- 
ber Miss  Grace,  Laverne.  I  haven't  seen  her  this 
long  while/'  and  the  next  instant  she  was  welcoming 
her  warmly. 

"We  thought  you  had  dropped  out  of  existence. 
Why,  even  the  Dawsons  have  heard  nothing  from  you 
— let  me  see — you  went  down  to  Santa  Cruz  with  an 
invalid  lady " 

"  Yes."  Miss  Alwood  gave  a  short  amused  sound 
that  was  hardly  a  laugh,  and  continued :  "  Well,  there 
was  plenty  of  money,  but  she  was  about  as  queer  as 
they  make  them.  She  had  come  from  Baltimore,  but 
she  had  some  of  the  worst  New  England  features, 
though  I  think  they  do  not  belong  altogether  to  the 
Puritan  birthright.  But  it  kept  one  on  the  alert  at- 
tending to  her  whims.  When  she  had  been  there  a 
month  her  brother  came  to  see  her.  He  thought  she 
had  better  go  on  farther  south — I  think  she  had  con- 
sumption, the  sort  of  wasting  away  without  a  cough. 
While  we  were  making  preparations  she  was  taken 
down  to  her  bed.  Mr.  Personette  had  to  return  here 


82       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

on  urgent  business  matters.  Four  weeks  later  she 
died.  So  he  came  back  and  there  was  the  burial  and 
all " 

Miss  Alwood  paused  and  a  flush  with  an  amused 
expression  passed  over  her  face. 

"And  so  you  were  released  from  bondage,"  sug- 
gested Miss  Holmes ;  and  she,  somehow,  smiled,  too. 

"  And  accepted  another.  Mr.  Personette,  being  a 
widower,  made  me  an  offer  of  marriage.  We  are  to  be 
a  not  very  far-away  neighbor,  as  he  owns  a  house  on 
Mason  Street,  and  is  really  well-to-do,  as  we  say  at 
home.  There  is  a  son  of  seventeen,  a  daughter  two 
years  younger,  and  one  of  twelve.  I  went  to  hunt  you 
up,  but  found  the  place  deserted,  then  looked  up  Miss 
Gaines  and  have  been  spending  a  week  over  wedding 
gowns,  though  it  is  to  be  just  a  quiet  marriage  in  church. 
He  has  had  housekeepers  that  were  unsatisfactory,  in- 
deed, he  was  afraid  the  last  one  would  marry  him  out 
of  hand,"  and  this  time  she  did  laugh  heartily.  "  So 
you  see  I  have  made  my  fortune  the  first  of  the  trio." 

"  Let  me  congratulate  you  on  your  good  fortune. 
I  suppose  it  is  that." 

"  Why,  yes,  as  far  as  one  can  see.  I'm  not  a  roman- 
tic young  girl,  and  he  is  just  forty,  has  made  one  for- 
tune and  lost  it,  and  now  is — well,  he  spends  money 
as  if  there  would  be  no  end  to  it.  Do  you  remember 
the  old  story  of  the  bees  that  were  taken  to  a  place 
where  the  flowers  bloomed  all  the  year  round,  and 
ceased  laying  up  honey  ?  That  seems  the  way  with  so 
many  here.  There  were  people  who  lost  everything 
in  the  great  fire  and  in  no  time  were  on  their  feet 
again.  It  is  in  the  air,  I  think,  or  perhaps  the  fusion 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  83 

of  so  many  people  from  everywhere.  And  now  Mr. 
Personette  is  prospering,  and  I  am  to  share  the  pros- 
perity and  have  a  home  of  my  own,  and  like  the  bees, 
I'm  not  going  to  worry  about  the  future.  You  see 
I  am  already  a  recreant  Yankee.  Where  is  your  little 
girl?" 

The  little  girl  had  been  sitting  on  the  window  ledge 
of  the  next  room,  and  remembering  the  long  journey 
round  the  Horn,  often  cheered  by  the  brightness  of 
Miss  Alwood.  She  sprang  down  now  and  came  for- 
ward. 

"  What  a  little  dot  she  keeps !  Laverne,  I  am  go- 
ing to  be  your  neighbor,  and  I  am  to  have  a  little  girl 
who  will  be  a  playmate  for  you.  I  can't  answer  about 
the  other,  girls  begin  to  put  on  airs  so  soon.  Do  you 
go  to  school  ?  " 

"  No,  I  have  taught  her  thus  far.  But  it  is  rather 
lonely  for  a  child.  There  was  no  one  about  where  we 
lived,  but  some  distance  below  a  Spanish  family  which 
hardly  knew  whether  to  affiliate  or  not.'* 

"  They  are  very  brilliant  farther  down  the  coast. 
Monterey  is  the  place  to  see  them  in  their  glory.  I 
wish  we  had  gone  there,  but  Miss  Personette  hated  the 
strumming  of  a  guitar  and  the  click-clack  of  the  lan- 
guage, as  she  termed  it.  And  now,  can't  you  leave 
household  cares  and  come  for  a  drive  ?  " 

"  I  have  a  splendid  pony,"  said  Laverne. 

"Why,  that  is  quite  delightful.  But  you  will  not 
disdain  my  carriage,  I  hope." 

Miss  Holmes  rather  hesitated,  Hut  Miss  Alwood 
overruled  all  the  objections.  And  she  remembered 
that  Mr.  Chadsey  said  they  need  not  expect  him 


84       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

home  to  dinner.  Now  that  he  was  so  much  nearer 
he  came  back  to  an  old-fashioned  love  for  a  midday 
dinner. 

First  they  went  down  to  Mason  Street.  There  was 
quite  a  fine  finished  block  of  houses,  detached,  with 
gardens  on  both  sides.  Down  below  it  was  unfinished 
but  the  street  had  been  straightened,  the  low  places 
were  being  filled  up,  the  hillocks  levelled. 

"  Oh,"  Miss  Holmes  began,  with  a  depth  of  feeling 
that  touched  her  friend,  "you  can't  think  how  glad 
I  am  this  has  happened  to  you.  We  have  had  some 
hard  things  in  our  lives,  and  now  we  have  really  gone 
into  a  new  world." 

"And  I  wish  you  the  same  good  luck.  I  did  not 
quite  like  your  being  buried  down  in  that  out-of-the- 
way  place." 

"There  were  so  few  houses  to  be  had  when  we 
came." 

"  Yes ;  there  were  people  living  in  tents.  There  are 
a  few  of  them  now  on  the  outskirts.  And  building 
is  going  on  everywhere.  Oh,  what  do  you  suppose 
it  will  be  in  twenty  years  ?  " 

That  really  brought  a  stretch  to  the  imagination  and 
they  looked  blankly  at  each  other. 

Improvements  were  going  on  everywhere  with  a 
rush  startling  to  these  New  England  women. 

There  were  new  stores  opened  in  the  past  two 
months.  They  passed  Russ  Garden,  one  of  the  public 
places  near  the  Mission  Road,  devoted  to  amusements 
of  various  kinds,  and  thronged  on  Saturday  afternoons. 
Down  by  the  Plaza  the  "  steam  paddys  "  were  levelling 
the  numerous  sand  hills  that  lay  between  that  and 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  85 

Happy  Valley.  Even  the  burned  district  of  less  than 
a  year  ago  was  rising  rapidly  from  its  ashes. 

"  I've  never  had  quite  such  a  fine  view  of  the  town," 
Miss  Holmes  said.  "  Heretofore  we  have  only  taken 
it  in  parts.  What  it  will  be  when  finished " 

"  Only  New  England  cities  get  finished.  I  think  I 
have  heard  of  some  places  that  were  fenced  in  and 
whitewashed,  but  they  must  have  been  mere  country 
towns,"  declared  Miss  Alwood  laughingly. 

They  made  a  call  on  Miss  Gaines,  who  now  had  a 
workroom  full  of  girls  and  piles  of  dazzling  material. 
Nothing  was  too  rich  or  too  expensive  for  these  Cali- 
fornia dames,  whose  husbands  made  fortunes  in  a 
•  month  or  cleared  thousands  of  dollars  in  a  day.  Those 
early  years  were  an  Arabian  Nights'  tale. 

The  three  friends  had  a  genial  time  together,  and 
then  Miss  Holmes  and  the  little  girl  were  set  down  at 
their  own  door.  She  was  very  quiet. 

"  What  are  you  thinking  of  ?  "  Miss  Holmes  asked 
at  length. 

"  Of  the  little  girl  Miss  Alwood  is  to  have,  and 
whether  I  shall  like  her.  Of  course,  she  will  not  be 
like  the  Estenegas.  And  it  seems  queer  to  have  a 
new  mother  who  isn't  a  real  mother." 

"  You  will  understand  that  better  by  and  by." 

Laverne  nodded.  She  could  never  have  a  new 
mother.  She  wondered  a  little  about  her  father. 
Uncle  Jason  never  spoke  of  him.  Of  course  he  was 
dead  also. 

Mrs.  Dawson  was  very  anxious  to  give  Miss  Al- 
wood a  wedding  feast,  and  indeed  was  fain  to  have  her 
married  in  the  parlor,  but  she  preferred  the  church. 


86       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Mr.  Personette  was  well  known,  and  the  church  was 
crowded.  The  two  daughters  walked  in  front  and 
strewed  flowers  in  their  path,  there  were  congratula- 
tions and  good  wishes,  and  a  luncheon  at  the  Dawson 
House,  when  the  new  husband  and  wife  took  a  short 
journey,  and  ended  the  festivities  by  a  reception  at 
their  own  home. 

Laverne  thought  it  was  very  fine  to  have  a  new 
white  frock,  lace-trimmed,  and  a  knot  of  blue  ribbons 
on  one  shoulder,  with  long  streamers.  Isabel  Per- 
sonette was  tall  of  her  age,  and  quite  a  young  lady, 
rather  pretty.  Olive  had  large,  dark  eyes,  and  shining 
chestnut  hair,  was  round,  plump,  and  merry-look- 
ing. 

"  Our  new  mother  has  been  telling  us  about  you," 
she  began,  grasping  Laverne's  hand.  "  And  that  you 
came  from  Maine  with  her.  What  a  long,  long  jour- 
ney. Weren't  you  awfully  afraid  ?  I  looked  up  Maine 
on  the  map.  But  you  had  to  go  round  the  Horn. 
What  did  it  look  like?" 

"  It's  a  cape,  you  know." 

"  But — I  supposed  there  was  something,"  in  a  sur- 
prised tone.  "  Perhaps  they  blew  a  horn  ?  " 

"  They  didn't  do  anything  as  I  remember,"  and 
Laverne  smiled  a  little. 

"  I've  never  been  farther  than  Monterey.  But 
father  went  up  to  British  Columbia  once.  It  is  des- 
perately cold  up  there.  And  there  is  a  Russian  coun- 
try where  it  is  colder  still.  And  you  have  snows  in 
Maine." 

"  Oh,  dreadful  snows  that  do  not  go  off  all  winter, 
and  it  seems  so  queer  not  to  have  any  here.  It  was 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  87 

such  fun  to  snowball  and  have  sled-rides  and  build 
snowhouses." 

"  You  didn't  live  in  them  ?  "  in  surprise. 

"  Oh,  no !  But  sometimes  we  brought  in  dry  hem- 
lock branches  and  brush,  and  had  a  fire.  It  looks  so 
pretty." 

"Didn't  it  melt  the  house?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  a  little.     But  you  see  it  froze  again." 

"  Which  do  you  like  best — there  or  here  ?  " 

"  Oh,  this  is  the  most  beautiful,  for  there  are  so 
many  flowers  and  lovely  places.  And — I  think  I  like 
the  pleasant  weather  best." 

"  How  many  cousins  have  you  ?  " 

"  None/'  answered  Laverne  rather  regretfully. 

"Oh,  isn't  that  queer?  I  have  four  over  to  Oak- 
lands.  And  two  in  London.  And  one  of  father's  sis- 
ters married  a  Mexican,  and  lives  way  down  to  Santa 
Barbara.  They  have  ever  so  many  children  with  queer 
names.  Aunt  Amy  died  a  little  while  ago,  and  as  she 
hadn't  any  children,  she  left  some  money  to  us  and  the 
Oakland  cousins.  But  not  to  have  any " 

Olive  Personette  looked  very  sympathetic,  Pres- 
ently she  said,  "  How  many  little  girls  do  you  know  ?  " 

"  Only  three,  and  they  are  Spanish.  There  were 
none  where  we  lived  before.  It  was  a  kind  of  wild 
place.  I  like  this  ever  so  much  better." 

"  Did  you  love  them  ?  " 

Laverne  considered,  while  her  eyes  wandered  off 
into  space. 

"  I  think  I  didn't  really  love  them.  I  liked  them. 
They  came  up  to  learn  English,  and  Miss  Holmes  and 
I  studied  Spanish.  And  we  played  about.  They  had 


88       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

a  queer  old  house  and  a  lovely  garden,  with  fruit  and 
flowers,  and  tame  birds,  and  everything.  And  I  had 
a  squirrel  I  tamed.  We  brought  him  up  here,  and  I 
kept  him  two  weeks  in  a  little  pen,  but  when  I  let  him 
out  he  ran  away." 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do.  We'll  make  believe  to 
ourselves  that  we  are  cousins.  Mother  said  she  hoped 
I  would  like  you  a  good  deal.  You  see,  Isabel  be- 
gins to  go  with  big  girls,  and  they  just  push  you  out 
when  they  tell  secrets,  and  they  have  so  many  to  tell. 
Do  you  know  any  secrets  ?  " 

Laverne  shook  her  head  gravely. 

"  But  sometimes  you  do  bad  things  and  you  don't 
want  to  tell  anybody." 

"Why,  I  tell  Uncle  Jason  everything.     And " 

Did  she  ever  do  anything  very  bad?  She  didn't 
always  study  when  Miss  Holmes  told  her  to,  and  she 
sometimes  tore  her  frocks  scrambling  up  or  down  the 
hills.  She  had  been  brought  up  to  be  truthful  and 
obedient,  and  now  these  traits  were  part  of  her  nature. 

"  Well,  it's  this  way — you  must  not  tell  your  uncle 
the  things  I  tell  you,  and  you  must  find  something  to 
tell  me — when  Miss  Holmes  is  cross  to  you." 

"  But  she  isn't  ever  cross." 

"  Oh,  yes,  everybody  has  a  cross  streak  in  her,  or 
him.  I'm  cross  often.  And  I  do  hope  our  new 
mother  won't  scold.  Father  said  she  was  so  good  to 
Aunt  Amy,  and  Aunt  Amy  was  dreadful  at  times. 
Then  the  Mrs.  Barr  we  had  for  housekeeper  was  just 
awful.  She  said  naughty  words,  too,  like  the  men. 
No  one  is  good  always.  You  can't  be.  And  when  I 
get  in  a  taking  I'm  a  terror  at  school.  Miss  Carson 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  89 

once  wrote  a  note  to  father,  but  I  begged  so  she  tore  it 
up.  I  wanted  a  watch  for  Christmas  and  I  was  afraid 
he  would  not  give  it  to  me  if  he  knew.  That  was  a 
secret  I've  kept  until  now,  but  he  gave  me  the  watch. 
I  let  it  fall  and  it  had  to  go  away  to  be  repaired.  And 
I  have  three  rings.  See,  are  they  not  pretty?  That 
garnet  is  getting  tight.  I'll  have  to  give  it  away,"  and 
she  laughed. 

Her  new  mother  came  around  to  them. 

"  Are  you  making  friends  ?  "  she  asked.  "  That  is 
right.  Laverne,  are  you  having  a  nice  time?  Come 
and  see  the  dancing." 

They  were  waltzing  up  and  down  the  spacious  hall. 
There  had  been  dancing  on  shipboard  among  the  men, 
but  this  was  something  that  fascinated  the  little  girl. 
The  beautiful  dresses  and  sparkling  jewels,  the  deli- 
cate laces  that  floated  like  clouds,  and  among  the  men 
were  two  or  three  young  Spaniards.  One  of  them 
wore  a  beautiful  fringed  sash  about  his  waist. 

"  Do  you  go  to  dancing  school  ? 

"  No,"  replied  Laverne. 

"  But  you  will.  I  began  last  winter.  Isabel  dances. 
See,  some  one  has  taken  her  out.  Oh,  dear,  I  wish  I 
could  grow  up  in  a  night,  just  three  years.  Wouldn't 
it  be  funny  to  have  it  happen  in  your  sleep  ?  " 

Jason  Chadsey  had  been  looking  about  for  his  little 
girl.  He  had  insisted  at  first  that  he  could  not  come, 
that  he  was  too  old,  and  such  a  plain  fellow,  that  he 
would  look  queer  among  the  fine  people.  But  Mrs. 
Personette  had  written  him  a  special  invitation,  and  he 
had  compromised  with  Miss  Holmes  by  promising  to 
come  for  them.  He  knew  Mr.  Personette  a  little  in 


9o       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

a  business  way,  and  he  was  really  gratified  at  Miss  Al- 
wood's  good  fortune.  So  he  had  gone  to  the  tailor's 
and  treated  himself  to  a  new  suit  of  clothes,  and  looked 
fully  five  years  younger. 

Laverne  stared  at  him  a  moment,  then  a  lovely  smile 
illumined  her  face  as  she  slipped  her  hand  in  his  and 
rather  bashfully  introduced  her  new  friend. 

"  I  have  been  making  the  acquaintance  of  your 
brother  and  your  sister,"  he  said.  "  I  hope  you  and 
my  little  girl  will  be  friends.'' 

"Oh,  we  have  promised  to,"  declared  Olive.  "I 
am  coming  to  see  her  pony,  and  I  am  very  glad  to  know 
her." 

He  nodded  and  escorted  the  children  about,  or 
rather  followed  Olive,  who  gracefully  made  herself 
mistress  of  the  occasion  and  chatted  with  an  ease  that 
amused  him.  But  it  was  getting  late,  and  as  he  had 
performed  his  round  of  duties,  he  proposed  now  that 
they  should  return  home.  Olive  kissed  her  new  friend 
with  much  fervor. 

"  Parties  are  just  splendid,"  Laverne  said,  as  she 
danced  alongside  of  Uncle  Jason.  "  Can't  you  have 
a  party  unless  you  are  married  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  there  are  birthday  parties  and  Christmas 
parties  and  parties  just  for  fun." 

"  But  you  have  to  know  a  good  many  people,  don't 
you?" 

"  I  think  I  have  seen  three  or  four  little  girls  have 
a  party." 

"  I  know  four  now." 

"  And  perhaps  by  Christmas  you  will  know  four 
more/'  returned  Uncle  Jason. 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  91 

She  was  very  tired  and  sleepy  when  she  reached 
home,  and  they  all  retired.  And  it  so  happened  she 
slept  late  the  next  morning  and  had  her  breakfast  alone. 
Pablo  had  found  it  very  lonely  without  them  and  had 
decided  to  accept  Mr.  Chadsey's  offer.  So  she  ran  out 
now  to  say  good-morning  to  him  and  Pelajo. 

Something  scampered  along  at  her  feet,  and  then 
made  a  sudden  dash  among  the  vines.  Two  bright 
eyes  peeped  out  and  there  was  a  peculiar  little  chatter. 

"  Why,  if  it  isn't  Snippy,"  she  cried.  "  Snip,  Snip !  " 
and  she  knelt  down  in  the  gravelly  path.  "  Snip ! " 

There  was  a  sudden  rush,  and  the  squirrel  ran  up 
her  arm,  across  her  shoulders,  and  fairly  nestled  in 
the  little  curve  below  her  ear.  And  then  he  began  to 
chatter  as  if  he  was  telling  over  his  journey  and  his 
tribulations  and  expressing  his  joy.  Surely  no  squirrel 
was  ever  more  eloquent  to  his  mate  in  love-making 
time.  Laverne  laughed  until  the  tears  came  into  her 
eyes,  and  she  had  a  vague  suspicion  that  she  was  cry- 
ing as  well,  but  it  was  for  very  joy. 

Snippy  wriggled  out  of  the  warm  embrace  presently 
and  questioned  her  with  his  bright  beady  eyes,  as  if  the 
voice  might  have  led  him  into  a  mistake.  But  no,  this 
was  his  little  mistress  sure  enough. 

She  gathered  him  up  and  ran  into  the  kitchen  where 
Miss  Holmes  was  making  a  pie. 

"  Oh,"  she  cried,  "  Snippy  has  come  back,  my  dear, 
darling  Snippy." 

He  had  come  by  his  name  in  a  rather  unexpected 
fashion.  When  Laverne  first  had  him  tame  enough 
to  come  into  the  house,  throw  his  beautiful  bushy 
tail  up  his  back,  and  let  the  feathery  end  droop  over  his 


92       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

ears  like  a  bit  of  Spanish  lace,  a  trick  of  the  Sefioras, 
and  eat  a  fragment  of  cracker,  Miss  Holmes  said  one 
day,  "  He  looks  so  pert  and  snippy  one  has  to  smile  at 
his  daintiness." 

They  had  tried  on  several  names  that  did  not  seem 
to  fit.  It  was  easy  enough  to  get  something  for  a  dog 
or  a  horse. 

"  Oh,  that  will  just  do,  Snippy,"  and  Laverne 
danced  around  in  delight.  "  Then  we  can  call  him 
Snip  when  we  are  in  a  hurry — he  is  such  a  dear  little 
dot,  too.  His  tail  is  as  big  as  his  body;  Snippy, 
Snippy !  " 

Perhaps  there  was  something  in  the  sound  that  at- 
tracted him,  for  he  glanced  up  out  of  brightest  eyes  and 
winked  as  if  he  approved  it. 

He  did  soon  come  to  know  his  name.  Perhaps  it 
was  because  it  became  connected  with  some  tidbit,  for 
when  the  little  girl  called  him  she  always  had  a  dainty 
morsel  for  him. 

He  glanced  about  the  room  now,  and  then  thrust 
his  head  under  Laverne's  arm.  Miss  Holmes  spoke 
and  he  peered  out.  Yes,  he  knew  that  voice  surely, 
but  the  place  was  strange. 

"  Oh,  Snippy,  you  can't  imagin  3  how  glad  I  am  to 
have  you.  I've  been  homesick  for  you,  though  I  like 
this  place  better,  and  we're  nearer  the  grand  ocean,  and 
can  look  over  into  the  Golden  Gate,  and  golden  it  is 
in  the  sunset.  Oh,  why  did  you  run  away  ?  " 

Snippy  said  something  in  his  own  language  and 
struggled  to  get  free.  She  let  him  run  down  her  skirt 
and  leap  to  the  floor.  He  glanced  round  with  sharp, 
inquiring  eyes,  then  ran  to  one  corner  where,  in  the 


A  DIFFERENT  OUTLOOK  93 

old  place,  he  used  to  find  nuts  and  perhaps  a  crust. 
Oh,  it  wasn't  the  same  place.  He  fairly  scolded,  up 
went  his  tail,  and  he  scampered  out  of  the  door.  La- 
verne  ran,  calling  him.  Over  the  path,  the  rockery 
Uncle  Jason  had  built  for  her,  plunging  into  the  great 
ferns  that  grew  as  high  as  her  head,  and  shook  off  an 
odorous  fragrance  at  being  disturbed. 

"  Oh,  Snippy !  Snippy !  "  in  a  beseeching  tone. 

The  little  girl  sat  down  on  a  stone  and  cried.  Sor- 
row had  followed  so  on  the  heels  of  delight.  Bruno 
came  and  put  his  nose  in  her  hand  and  looked  comfort 
out  of  great  wistful  eyes. 

Miss  Holmes  came  out  presently. 

"  I  think  he  will  come  back,"  she  said  hopefully. 
"  You  see  he  found  the  way  once  and  he  can  again. 
And  now  come  in  and  study  a  lesson.  There  is  noth- 
ing like  work  to  lighten  sorrow." 

"  If  he  only  would  come  back !  Bruno,  if  you  see 
him,  come  and  tell  me  at  once." 

Bruno  nodded  sagaciously. 


CHAPTER  VII 

A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY 

MAY  was  beautiful  enough  to  make  the  heart  leap  for 
joy.  Rose-bushes  sent  up  spikes  of  pink  and  blood- 
red  blossoms  or  clambered  over  hillocks,  lilies  stood  up 
among  the  ferns  and  bushes,  and  the  poppies  that  grew 
everywhere  seemed  to  dance  with  joy,  as  they  flung  out 
their  silken  leaves  in  a  dazzle,  wooed  by  the  wind. 
Bees  were  busy  enough  with  their  bustle  and  humming, 
birds  were  singing  everywhere.  Squirrels  and  rabbits 
scudded  about,  little  harmless  lizards  came  out  and 
sunned  themselves  on  the  stones,  and  great  flying  iri- 
descent bugs  that  shot  across  the  air  with  golden  and 
green  rays.  Oh,  how  enchanting  it  all  was.  It  stirred 
the  little  girl  with  unutterable  thoughts. 

"  Laverne,"  Miss  Holmes  called.  Oh,  was  it  lesson 
time! 

"  Come,  dear,  Mrs.  Personette  has  the  carriage  here, 
and  we  are  going  to  take  a  look  at  the  great  German 
Mayday  festival.  Come  quick,  and  slip  in  another 
frock." 

For  what  with  building  dams  for  waterfalls,  making 
paths  and  rockeries  and  flower  beds,  the  little  girl  was 
not  always  in  company  trim. 

"  Oh,  Uncle  Jason  was  talking  about  that,  and  he 
94 


A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY  95 

was  so  sorry  he  could  not  get  away,  but  some  vessels 
were  coming  in.  Oh,  yes,  I'll  hurry." 

There  were  baths  and  sundry  conveniences  in  many 
of  the  houses  in  this  new  city.  Perhaps  no  place  in  the 
world  had  ever  worked  such  marvels  in  five  years.  But 
Jason  Chadsey  had  not  come  to  luxuries  yet.  However, 
the  little  girl  did  very  well  without  them.  She  washed 
and  dressed  in  a  trice. 

Mrs.  Personette  and  Olive  were  in  the  big  carriage. 
Isabel  and  Howard  had  taken  the  buggy.  She  greeted 
them  cordially.  Olive  made  room  for  Laverne,  or 
rather  beckoned  her  to  her  own  seat. 

The  Germans  were  holding  a  grand  festival  at 
Russ's  Garden.  There  was  a  big  flag  flying  from  the 
great  marquee,  and  numerous  lesser  ones.  There  were 
the  park  of  shade  trees,  the  houses  of  refreshment,  the 
arches  wreathed  with  flowers,  and  German  flags  vying 
with  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  Gay  beds  of  flowers  were 
interspersed  that  lent  richest  coloring.  The  broad 
driveway  was  thronged  with  carriages  already,  but 
none  were  allowed  inside. 

The  Turner  Gesang  Verein  was  really  the  leader  of 
the  festivities.  The  members  were  dressed  in  brown 
linen,  loose  and  baggy,  and  marched  from  their  head- 
quarters with  banners  flying  and  the  band  playing  in- 
spiriting airs  from  Vaterland.  And  when  they  all  as- 
sembled before  the  marquee,  "Das  Deutsche  Vater- 
land "  swelled  out  on  the  balmy  air  in  a  most  rapturous 
manner.  They  were  in  their  home  atmosphere  again, 
they  hardly  remembered  the  land  giving  them  shelter. 
The  grand  choruses  went  up  in  a  shout.  The  instru- 
ments seemed  fairly  to  beat  waves  of  music  on  the  air. 


96       A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

It  appeared,  indeed,  as  if  all  the  Germans  in  the  city 
had  gathered  there,  and  even  at  this  time  there  were 
about  two  thousand.  And  then  the  games  began. 
They  leaped  and  balanced,  they  performed  various 
athletic  feats,  the  victor  being  crowned  with  shouts,  as 
well  as  winning  a  prize.  They  danced,  the  boys  and 
men  with  each  other,  many  of  them  in  native  garments 
of  the  provinces  from  which  they  had  emigrated,  and 
some  were  amusing  in  motley  array. 

Outside  there  were  booths  with  tables  for  refresh- 
ments, where  wives  and  children  congregated,  and  the 
place  was  patrolled  by  policemen  to  keep  roughs  away. 
The  onlookers  drove  around  or  were  on  horseback; 
among  them  were  the  old  Californians  in  leggings, 
sash,  and  sombrero,  and  a  few  Spaniards,  who  looked 
on  haughtily  at  these  people  who  were  fast  superseding 
the  old  stock. 

There  were  not  many  places  of  amusement  really 
proper  for  women  and  children  of  the  better  class.  The 
circus  had  been  the  pioneer  entertainment,  then  the 
theatre.  Even  at  a  concert  of  vocal  music  given  by 
the  favorite,  Stephen  C.  Massett,  where  front  seats  were 
reserved  for  ladies,  only  four  were  present.  A  neat 
little  theatre  had  been  destroyed  by  fire ;  the  Jenny  Lind 
had  shared  the  same  fate,  until  a  Mr.  Maguire  erected 
a  large  stone  theatre  destined  for  first-class  amusements 
and  that  had  been  taken  for  the  city  hall.  But  the  year 
before  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker,  fine  actors,  had  succeeded 
in  establishing  a  new  era  in  the  Californian  drama,  and 
given  it  a  style  and  excellence,  and  catered  to  the  best 
class  of  people,  who  had  begun  to  give  tone  to  society. 

Laverne  hardly  heeded  Olive's  chatter,  she  was  so 


A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY 


97 


interested  in  the  gay  scene.  There  had  never  been  any- 
thing like  it  to  her.  And  the  music  stirred  her  won- 
derfully. They  drove  slowly  round  and  round, 
watched  the  athletes  and  held  their  breath  at  some  of 
the  daring  feats. 

"  Oh,  you  should  hear  Howard  talk  of  the  circus  per- 
formers and  what  they  do,"  exclaimed  Olive.  "  There's 
a  flying  leap  when  a  man  comes  over  the  head  of  the 
audience,  and  catches  a  big  hoop  on  the  stage,  and 
hangs  suspended  while  the  audience  applauds,  and  a 
woman  that  rides  on  two  horses,  changing  about, 
and  sometimes  stands  up.  She's  a  foreigner  of  some 
sort." 

"  I  should  think  they  would  be  afraid ;  "  and  Laverne 
shuddered. 

"  Oh,  no ;  they're  trained,  you  see.  And  the  races 
are  splendid.  We  can  go  to  them.  And  they  used  to 
have  bull-baits  at  the  Mission,  but  they  don't  allow  it 
now." 

"  Bull-baits?  "  echoed  Laverne. 

"Oh,  bull-fights,"  laughed  Olive.  "That's  real 
Spanish,  you  know.  Why,  it  seems  all  right  to  them,  of 
course.  And  there  are  dog-fights  and  cock-fights  here 
— I  don't  see  much  difference,  only  the  bulls  are  bigger 
and  stronger." 

Then  a  Turk  halted  at  the  carriage  which  had  been 
stopped  in  the  press.  He  had  a  great  clapper,  which 
made  a  hideous  noise,  and  a  voice  that  went  through 
your  ears.  A  tray  was  suspended  from  a  leathern  strap 
that  passed  around  his  neck.  He  wore  a  gay  fez,  and 
a  jacket  embroidered  with  gold  thread  much  tarnished, 
and  full  Turkish  trousers  of  red  silk  so  soiled  one  could 


98      A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

hardly  tell  the  color.  His  swarthy  skin  and  long, 
waxed  mustache  gave  him  a  fierce  look. 

"  Oh,  mother,  get  some  candy,"  cried  Olive,  "  I'm 
just  dying  for  some." 

Fortunately  it  was  done  up  in  a  kind  of  soft  Chinese 
paper,  and  so  kept  from  the  dust.  Then  in  a  jar  he  had 
some  curious  shredded  stuff  that  looked  like  creamy 
ravellings. 

"  Oh,  we  will  drive  around  and  get  some  at  Winn's," 
said  her  mother. 

"  Oh,  Laverne,  don't  you  want  some  real  Turkish 
candy  ?  " 

Laverne  looked  undecided. 

"  Oh,  do,  do,"  pleaded  Olive,  and  Mrs.  Personette 
yielded. 

The  ravelly  stuff  was  very  funny  and  melted  in  your 
mouth,  and  the  candy  seemed  saturated  with  all  flavors. 

,"  Of  course,  Winn's  is  much  better,"  declared  Olive, 
with  an  air.  "  Oh,  mother,  can't  we  go  to  Winn's  and 
have  some  lunch !  " 

"  I've  been  considering  that,"  returned  her  mother. 

The  two  friends  had  so  much  to  talk  about  that 
the  children's  chatter  had  not  really  reached  them. 
Old  times  and  beliefs  that  seemed  of  some  bygone 
century  rather  than  a  decade  or  two,  so  utterly  had  this 
Western  coast  outgrown  them. 

"  Have  you  seen  Howard  anywhere  ?  "  asked  Mrs. 
Personette. 

"  No,"  returned  Olive.  Then  in  a  lower  tone — 
"  They're  off,  having  a  good  time,  I  know.  Let  Isabel 
alone  for  that ;  mother  needn't  think  she^ll  know  every- 
thing," and  the  girl  laughed. 


A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY  99 

They  drove  around  once  more.  Now  a  good  many 
were  seated  at  the  refreshment  tables,  smoking,  drink- 
ing beer,  and  laughing  over  jokes  of  the  old  fatherland. 
Of  course,  before  night  they  would  be  rather  uproar- 
ious. They  had  seen  the  best  part  of  the  celebration. 

"  I  do  wish  we  could  find  the  children,"  said  Mrs. 
Personette.  "  We  might  have  lunch  together." 

At  Washington  and  Montgomery  Streets  was  the 
new  establishment  of  Mr.  Winn,  who  had  been  twice 
burned  out  and  had  not  lost  his  courage.  It  seemed  the 
fate  of  nearly  all  of  the  old  settlers,  and  would  have 
ruined  and  discouraged  a  community  with  less  pluck. 
For,  after  all,  while  there  were  no  end  of  toughs  and 
roughs  and  adventurers,  there  was  still  some  of  the  best 
blood  of  the  Eastern  cities,  full  of  knowledge  and  per- 
severance. 

Winn's  was  a  large  refectory  of  the  highest  order. 
It  was  furnished  in  the  most  elegant  and  tasteful  man- 
ner, and  the  service  was  admirable.  Indeed,  it  had 
come  to  be  quite  a  calling  place  for  the  real  society 
people,  where  they  could  meet  a  friend  and  sit  over 
their  tea  or  coffee  and  exchange  the  news  of  the  day, 
which  meant  more  really  than  in  any  other  city.  For 
every  twenty-four  hours  something  stirring  was  hap- 
pening. Every  fortnight  now  a  steamship  came  in. 
New  people,  new  goods,  letters  from  the  States,  mes- 
sages to  this  one  and  that  from  friends  thousands  of 
miles  away. 

The  large  rooms  were  connected  by  arches  with 
costly  draperies.  Tables  here  and  there  for  guests, 
sofas,  easy-chairs,  a  stand  for  flowers,  the  papers  of 
the  day  and  magazines  that  had  to  be  old  before  they 


ioo    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

reached  these  Western  readers.  Silks  and  satins 
rustled,  skirts  were  beginning  to  be  voluminous,  bon- 
nets had  wreaths  of  flowers  under  the  brim,  and  it  was 
the  day  of  shawls,  India,  cashmere,  and  lace.  Now 
and  then  a  dark-eyed  Sefiorita  wore  hers  in  some 
graceful  folds  that  made  a  point  over  the  curls  on  her 
forehead.  But  women  mostly  had  their  hair  banded 
Madonna-wise  that  gave  some  faces  a  very  serene  and 
placid  look.  Long  ringlets  were  another  style.  Demi- 
trains  were  also  in  vogue,  and  at  Winn's  at  luncheon 
time,  it  had  the  appearance  of  a  fashionable  reception. 
Children  wore  stiffly  starched  skirts  and  gypsy  hats 
with  wreaths  of  flowers.  Laverne's  were  forget-me- 
nots,  with  streamers  of  blue  ribbon,  and  her  soft  light 
hair  was  braided  in  two  tails,  tied  with  a  blue  ribbon 
about  halfway,  the  rest  floating  loose. 

They  had  a  dainty  luncheon.  Mrs.  Personette  re- 
ceived nods  from  this  one  and  that  one,  for  already  she 
was  becoming  quite  well  known. 

"  Oh,"  she  said  presently,  "  do  you  know  the  school 
children  are  to  have  their  walk  on  Monday,  a  Mayday 
walk,  quite  an  institution,  I  believe.  And  Laverne 
ought  to  go  to  school,  do  you  not  think  so?  And  this 
is  to  be  quite  an  event.  She  must  see  it,  and  you  as 
well." 

"  Alice  Payne  is  to  be  Queen  of  the  May,  and  seven 
maids  of  honor  from  the  different  schools,"  said  Olive. 
"  Why,  I  could  take  Laverne  with  me.  You'd  have  to 
wear  your  white  frock,  that's  all." 

Laverne  glanced  up  eagerly,  with  a  dainty  flush. 
Could  she  really  take  part  in  it  ? 

It  was  true  Jason  Chadsey  had  not  been  very  anxious 


A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY  101 

to  push  his  little  girl  forward.  They  had  lived  too  far 
from  schools  before,  and  she  was  too  much  of  a 
stranger  to  go  around  alone. 

"  It  will  be  just  splendid !  And  you  will  see  so  many 
girls.  Of  course,  we  have  lived  here  a  long  while  and 
know  almost  everybody." 

"Of  all  the  thousands,"  appended  her  mother,  rather 
humorously.  "  Then  you  must  be  a  '  Forty-niner/  " 

Olive  colored.  "  We're  older  than  that/'  she  an- 
swered, with  some  pride.  "  Father  is  a  real  Cali- 
fornian." 

"  And  you  children  will  belong  to  the  old  aristocracy 
when  birth  begins  to  count.  I  suppose  that  will  come 
in  presently." 

"  It  always  does,"  returned  Miss  Holmes.  "  Think 
of  the  pride  of  Boston  over  her  early  immigrants." 

They  drove  around  the  garden  and  then  took  the  two 
guests  home.  Miss  Holmes  expressed  her  pleasure 
warmly. 

"  Oh,"  laughed  Mrs.  Personette,  "  when  we  were  on 
our  long  journey,  coming  to  a  strange  land,  who  could 
have  imagined  that  in  so  short  a  time  I  should  be  rid- 
ing round  in  my  carriage!  And  I  seemed  to  have 
no  special  gift  or  attraction.  Truly  it  is  a  Golden 
State." 

Laverne  had  a  great  deal  to  tell  Uncle  Jason.  She 
was  so  bright  and  happy,  and  had  seen  so  much.  And 
then  there  was  the  procession  for  Monday.  Could  she 
go? 

Certainly,  it  was  not  possible  to  deny  the  eager,  ap- 
pealing face  and  pleading  voice. 

After  supper,  when  she  was  in  bed  and  Uncle  Jason 


102     A  LITTLE   GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

reading  his  papers,  Miss  Holmes  broached  the  subject 
of  school. 

The  first  schools,  as  happens  in  most  new  places,  were 
private  enterprises.  The  earliest  of  all  had  been  among 
the  old  residents  before  the  great  influx,  and  in  1847 
the  old  plain  little  schoolhouse  was  erected  on  Ports- 
mouth Square.  It  was  used  for  many  purposes.  Reli- 
gious bodies  held  their  first  meetings  here,  and  the  early 
public  amusements  were  given,  even  political  and  be- 
nevolent assemblies.  It  was  dignified  as  a  Court  House 
under  Judge  Almond,  and  at  length  turned  into  a 
station  house  until  it  went  the  way  of  transitory  things. 
To  this  effort  for  education  succeeded  a  real  public 
school,  with  a  board  of  trustees  of  prominent  men,  there 
being  sixty  children  of  school  age  in  a  population  of  a 
little  over  eight  hundred,  including  Indians.  Then 
suddenly  the  gold  fever  swept  the  town  like  wildfire, 
the  public-school  project  was  dropped,  and  the  Rev. 
Albert  Williams  collected  twenty-five  pupils  into  a  pay 
school.  In  the  spring  of  1850,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pelton, 
who  had  succeeded  the  clergyman,  and  gathered  in  a 
large  number  of  pupils,  applied  to  the  city  for  adequate 
recompense,  and  it  was  virtually  made  a  public  school. 
In  January,  a  beautiful  lot  at  Spring  Valley,  on  the 
Presidio  Road,  was  purchased,  and  a  school  was  built 
in  a  delightful  road  of  evergreens. 

Soon  after  this  the  city  started  again  and  in  time  had 
seven  schools,  though  several  private  schools  were  in  a 
very  flourishing  condition.  But  many  children  were 
sent  East  to  finishing  academies,  or  to  Monterey  and 
other  Southern  towns  to  convent  schools.  Still  the 
cause  of  education  began  to  demand  more  attention,  as 


A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY  103 

the  necessity  for  good  citizenship  became  more  stren- 
uous. 

Uncle  Jason  glanced  up  from  his  paper  when  Miss 
Holmes  spoke  of  the  school. 

"  Not  that  I  find  it  at  all  troublesome  to  teach  her, 
and  she  is  the  most  tractable  child  I  ever  saw.  Then 
she  is  so  eager  to  get  to  the  very  foundation  of  things. 
Why,  you  would  hardly  believe  how  much  she  knows 
about  botany.  I  found  an  old  book — but  the  flowers 
here  are  so  different.  And  I  really  love  to  teach  now 
that  I  am  well  and  strong.  I  could  almost  go  in  school 
again." 

"  Oh,  don't  think  of  such  a  thing.  We  couldn't  do 
without  you,"  he  exclaimed  earnestly.  "  But  you 

think — a  school "  and  he  paused,  his  eyes  fixed  on 

the  floor  as  if  he  was  ruminating. 

"  Laverne  needs  the  companionship  of  children,  com- 
paring thoughts  with  them,  playing,  the  harmless 
rivalry  of  studying  together.  When  it  comes  to  that, 
I  could  have  a  small  school.  You  see  she  will  be  grow- 
ing older  all  the  time." 

"  Frankly,  which  would  be  best  ?  You  are  more 
capable  of  deciding,  since  you  have  had  a  wider  ex- 
perience in  this  matter." 

"  Oh,  the  school.  You  see  she  must  take  a  place 
with  other  people.  She  has  no  relatives,  and  friends 
must  stand  in  their  stead." 

He  turned  back  to  his  paper,  but  he  was  not  reading. 
The  little  girl  was  all  his.  He  had  a  feeling  when  they 
left  Maine  that  nothing  and  no  one  should  come  be- 
tween them.  Every  thought,  every  desire  should 
cluster  about  her.  He  would  make  a  fortune  for  her. 


104    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

His  first  plan  in  going  to  California  was  to  start  to  the 
gold  fields  for  the  sake  of  adventures.  He  would  cut 
loose  from  all  old  recollections.  He  would  leave 
Laverne  Westbury  a  comfortable  and  satisfied  wife  and 
mother.  He  had  no  bitterness  against  his  rival  now. 
It  had  all  been  so  different.  Many  a  night  on  ship- 
board he  lived  over  those  few  sad  weeks  and  hugged 
to  his  heart  the  consolation  that  she  had  loved  him,  and 
that  fate  had  been  cruel  to  both.  And  then,  conscious 
of  the  finer  strain  of  fatherhood  that  had  so  long  lain 
fallow  in  his  soul,  the  child  slipped  into  the  place,  and 
aims  were  changed  for  him.  There  would  be  enough 
for  him  to  do  in  the  new  town  where  everything  was 
needed,  and  he  could  turn  his  hand  to  almost  anything. 
But  he  must  keep  to  her,  she  was  the  apple  of  his  eye, 
and  he  would  go  groping  in  sorrowful  darkness  with- 
out her. 

He  had  a  curious  feeling  at  first  that  he  must  hide 
her  away  lest  her  father  should  start  up  from  some- 
where and  claim  her,  and  was  glad  to  light  on  that  out- 
of-the-way  place.  The  long  voyage  had  been  like  liv- 
ing in  the  same  village  with  these  people.  The  New 
England  reticence  of  Miss  Holmes  appealed  to  him  in 
a  peculiar  manner,  he  was  reticent  himself.  Then  the 
child  took  the  greatest  fancy  to  her.  She  was  rather 
timid  about  this  new  world  while  the  others  were  ready 
for  adventures.  And  when  he  offered  her  a  home  for 
the  care  of  the  child  she  was  very  willing  to  accept  it 
for  the  present.  Her  belief  was  that  when  she  was 
rested  and  in  her  usual  health  she  should  teach  school 
again. 

Her  two  friends  had  teased  her  a  little  about  finding 


A  TASTE  OF  GAYETY  105 

a  possible  lover  in  Jason  Chadsey.  She  had  the  fine 
feminine  delicacy  that  shrank  from  the  faintest  sus- 
picion of  putting  herself  in  the  way  of  such  a  possibility. 
He  was  a  sturdy,  upright,  plain-spoken  fellow,  not  at 
all  her  ideal,  and  she  still  had  the  romance  of  girlhood. 
She  came  to  know  presently  by  her  womanly  intuition 
that  marriage  had  no  place  in  his  thoughts,  that  were 
centred  in  the  little  girl.  Perhaps,  her  mother  was 
his  only  sister,  a  deserted  wife,  she  gathered  from 
childish  prattle  of  Laverne's.  She  knew  so  little  about 
her  past.  Uncle  Jason  had  come  when  they  were  in 
great  want,  and  her  mother  had  died.  And  now,  Jason 
Chadsey  knew  it  would  be  best  for  this  idea  to  gain 
credence.  He  would  always  be  her  uncle. 

But  he  had  some  duties  toward  her.  She  could  not 
always  remain  a  child,  a  plaything.  That  was  the 
sorrow  of  it.  There  must  be  a  rich,  delightful  life  be- 
fore her.  She  must  have  the  joys  her  mother  had 
missed,  the  prosperity  that  had  not  come  to  her. 

He  looked  up  from  the  paper  presently. 

"  About  the  school,"  he  began.  "  Yes,  I  have  been 
considering  it.  And  you  will  have  quite  enough  to  do 
to  keep  the  house  and  have  the  oversight  of  her ;  I  will 
make  it  an  object  for  you  to  stay.  We  get  along  com- 
fortably together,  though  sometimes  I  feel  I  am  a  queer 
unsocial  Dick,  much  occupied  now  with  business.  But 
it  is  all  for  her.  She  is  the  only  thing  out  of  a  life  that 
has  been  all  ups  and  downs,  but,  please  God,  there'll 
be  some  clear  sailing  now.  I  like  San  Francisco.  I 
like  the  rush  and  bustle  and  newness,  the  effort  for  a 
finer  civilization  that  has  strength  and  purpose  in  it. 
Heaven  knows  there  is  enough  of  the  other  sort,  but 


106    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

the  dross  does  get  sifted  out  and  the  gold  is  left.  It 
will  be  so  here,  and  these  earnest  men  ten  years  hence 
will  be  proud  of  the  city  they  are  rearing." 

He  glanced  at  her  steadily,  forgetting  he  had  wan- 
dered from  the  main  question. 

"  You  will  not  leave  us " 

"  I  ?    Oh,  no ;"  yet  she  colored  a  little. 

"  There  will  be  enough  to  do  if  the  child  does  go  to 
school.  And  you  can  walk  down  for  her  in  the  after- 
noon, wherever  it  is,  and  have  little  outings.  I  am 
glad  you  are  so  fond  of  her,  and  she  loves  you.  She 
isn't  the  kind  to  strew  her  love  broadcast." 

"  Yes,  I  am  very  fond  of  her,"  was  the  reply. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

GIRLS  AND  GIRLS 

THEY  rambled  over  the  hills  on  Sunday,  for  Miss 
Holmes  had  given  her  ankle  a  little  wrench  and  was 
applying  hot  fomentations.  Up  there  was  the  Pre- 
sidio, and  over  here  the  beautiful  ocean,  blue  as  the 
sky  to-day,  except  where  the  swells  drove  up  on  the 
rocks  and,  catching  the  sun,  made  spray  of  all  colors. 
The  ground  squirrels  ran  about,  scudding  at  the  slight- 
est sound  of  human  beings,  which  they  seemed  to  dis- 
tinguish from  the  rustling  and  whispering  of  the 
trees,  or  the  tinkle  of  a  little  stream  over  the  stones. 
It  ran  under  a  crevice  in  the  rock  that  was  splitting 
apart  now  by  some  of  Nature's  handiwork  and  came 
out  over  west  of  their  house  where  it  dropped  into  a 
little  basin.  Here  was  a  blasted  pine  that  had  been 
struck  by  some  freak  of  rare  lightning,  then  piles  of 
sand  over  which  cactus  crept.  And  here  was  a  deer- 
trail,  though  civilization  had  pretty  well  scared  them 
away. 

But  the  birds !  Here  was  the  jay  with  his  scolding 
tongue,  the  swallows  darting  to  and  fro  in  a  swift 
dazzle,  the  martins  in  bluish  purple,  the  tanager  in  his 
brilliant  red,  the  robin,  thrush,  meadowlark,  the 
oriole,  and  the  mocking  birds  that  filled  the  air  with 
melody  this  May  Sunday.  And  nearly  every  foot  of 

107 


io8    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

ground  was  covered  with  bloom.  Now  and  then  the 
little  girl  hopped  over  a  tuft  that  she  might  not  crush 
the  beautiful  things.  Great  clouds  of  syringas  and 
clusters  of  white  lilies  rilled  the  air  with  a  delicious 
fragrance.  And  the  wild  lilac  with  its  spikes  of  bloom 
nodding  to  the  faintest  breeze.  Wild  barley  and  wild 
oats,  and  a  curious  kind  of  clover,  and  further  down 
the  coarse  salt  grass  with  its  spear-like  blades. 

They  sat  down  on  some  stones  and  glanced  over  the 
ocean.  There  were  two  vessels  coming  up  the  coast 
and  some  seamews  were  screaming.  It  was  all  wild 
and  strange,  almost  weird,  and  no  little  girl  could  have 
dreamed  that  in  a  few  years  streets  would  be  stretch- 
ing out  here.  As  for  trolleys  going  to  and  fro,  even 
grown  people  would  have  laughed  at  such  a  thing. 

They  talked  of  the  great  procession  that  was  to  be 
the  next  day.  And  then  Uncle  Jason  wondered  how 
she  would  like  going  to  school  regularly. 

"  I  shall  like  girls,"  she  said.  "  There  are  no  boys 
where  Olive  goes.  She  thinks  boys  are  more  fun." 

"  But  you  don't  go  to  school  for  the  mere  fun." 

"  They  make  so  much  noise  in  the  street.  And  some 
times  they  sing  such  funny  songs.  But  they  were  nice 
about  sledding  back  home,  only  there's  no  snow  here." 

"  Are  you  ever  homesick  ?  " 

"  You  know  I  was  sick  sometimes  on  the  ship." 

"  But  to  go  back,  I  mean." 

"  There  wouldn't  be  any  one— I've  almost  forgotten 
who  were  there.  Mother,  you  know "  with  a  piti- 
ful sort  of  retrospection. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  hurriedly. 

"  Would  you  want  to  go?  " 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS  109 

"  OH,  no,  no !  "  with  some  vehemence. 

She  came  and  leaned  against  his  knee,  put  her  arms 
about  his  neck,  and  her  soft  cheek  against  his  weather- 
beaten  one. 

"  I  should  never  want  to  go  anywhere  without  you," 
she  replied,  with  grave  sweetness. 

"  You  are  all  I  have,  my  little  darling." 

"  And  I  haven't  any  one  else.  Olive  has  such  a  lot 
of  cousins.  She  goes  over  to  Oaklands  to  see  them." 

There  was  a  long  pause  and  the  wind  rushed  by 
laden  with  perfumes.  They  heard  the  lapping  of  the 
surf  against  the  rocks.  The  strange  beauty  penetrated 
both  souls  that  were  not  so  far  apart  after  all. 

"  Uncle  Jason,  did  you  ever  have  a  wife  ?  "  she  asked, 
with  a  child's  innocence. 

"  No,  dear."  Sometime  he  would  tell  her  the  story 
of  his  love  for  her  mother. 

"  Then  you  won't  want  to  marry  any  one  ?  " 

"  Marry !  I  ?  "  Had  that  Personette  girl  put  some 
nonsense  into  her  head  about  Miss  Holmes?  He 
colored  under  the  weather-browned  skin. 

"  You  see,  Mr.  Personette's  wife  had  died,  and  I 
suppose  he  had  to  marry  some  one  again  to  look  after 
the  children." 

"  Would  you  like  me  to  marry  some  one  to  look  after 
you  ?  "  in  a  half  humorous  tone. 

"  Why,  Miss  Holmes  can  do  that,"  she  returned,  in 
surprise. 

"  She  seems  to  do  it  very  well."  There  was  a  lurk- 
ing smile  about  the  corners  of  his  mouth. 

"  I  like  her.  No,  I  shouldn't  like  any  one  else  coming 
in.  Perhaps  she  would  not  stay.  No,  Uncle  Jason,  I 


no    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

don't  want  you  to  marry  any  one/'  she  said,  simply. 
"  And  when  I  get  old  I  shall  not  marry,  though  Carmen 
means  to.  And  we  will  live  together  always.  Oh," 
with  a  bright  little  laugh,  "  let's  promise.  Put  your 
little  finger — so."  She  hooked  hers  in  it.  "  Now,  you 
must  say :  Honest  and  true,  I  love  but  you !  " 

He  uttered  it  solemnly.  He  had  said  it  to  one  other 
little  girl  when  he  was  a  big  boy. 

Then  she  repeated  it,  looking  out  of  clear,  earnest 
eyes. 

After  that  she  gathered  a  great  armful  of  flowers 
and  they  rambled  off  home. 

"  Who  do  you  think  has  been  here  ?  "  inquired  Miss 
Holmes,  with  a  laugh  in  her  very  voice. 

"  Who — Olive,  perhaps.    Or,  maybe,  Dick  Folsom." 

"  No.     Guess  again." 

She  cudgelled  her  wits.     "  Not  Snippy  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Snippy.  He  actually  came  into  the  house 
and  looked  so  sharply  at  me  that  I  told  him  you  would 
be  home  about  noon.  Then  I  gave  him  a  bit  of  cracker, 
and  when  he  had  eaten  a  little  he  scampered  off  with 
the  rest.  I  think  he  has  been  planning  a  house  near 
us." 

"  Oh,  wouldn't  that  be  splendid !  I'm  just  going  to 
scatter  a  path  of  cracker  bits  as  Hop  o'  my  Thumb 
did." 

"  But  if  he  eats  them  up  how  much  wiser  will  you 
be?" 

Laverne  looked  nonplussed.  "  Well,  he  will  have 
them  at  any  rate,"  and  she  nodded  her  head  with  satis- 
faction. 

Pablo  had  built  a  stone  fireplace  and  was  roasting 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS  in 

some  ducks  out  of  doors.  He  was  sure  he  couldn't  do 
it  any  other  way. 

"  I  must  go  and  view  the  camping  process,"  and 
Uncle  Jason  laughed.  "  How  is  your  ankle  ?  " 

"  Oh,  quite  on  the  mend,"  she  answered. 

Pablo  had  built  a  stone  fireplace  and  was  roasting 
the  ducks  over  a  great  bed  of  coals  that  he  was  burn- 
ing at  one  side.  It  might  be  wasteful,  as  when  the 
Chinaman  first  roasted  his  pig,  but  it  was  filling  the  air 
with  a  savory  smell,  and  they  were  browned  to  a  turn. 

"  They  look  just  delicious,"  announced  Laverne. 
She  took  the  platter  out  and  Pablo  carried  them  in  with 
a  proud  air. 

And  delicious  they  certainly  were.  The  little  girl 
was  hungry,  and  Uncle  Jason  said  he  had  not  enjoyed 
anything  so  much  in  a  long  while.  She  insisted  she 
should  wash  up  the  dishes  while  Uncle  Jason  took  his 
usual  nap.  Then  she  went  out  and  dropped  some 
cracker  crumbs  and  strictly  forbade  Bruno  to  touch 
them. 

"If  you  would  like  to  go  down  to  the  Estenegas  I 
will  get  one  of  the  horses,"  Uncle  Jason  said.  His 
Sundays  were  always  devoted  to  her. 

So  she  went  out  and  talked  to  Pelajo  while  Pablo 
harnessed  him.  He  said  very  plainly  that  she  had  quite 
neglected  him  of  late  and  he  did  not  like  it.  He  did  not 
want  to  be  thrown  over  for  new  friends. 

All  along  the  road  the  beauty  of  the  May  met  them, 
and  it  stirred  both  riders,  making  them  respond  to  the 
joy  of  motion  and  the  sweetness  of  all  blooming  things, 
the  merriment  of  the  birds,  the  touch  of  the  wind  in 
the  trees  as  a  voice  playing  on  a  flute.  He  thought  it 


H2    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

was  all  the  delight  of  owning  the  little  girl  who  would 
always  be  his.  How  he  would  care  for  her  in  old  age, 
and  he  quite  forgot  that  he  would  be  there  decades  and 
decades  first.  But  he  suddenly  felt  so  young,  with  all 
these  signs  of  youth  about  him,  the  magnetism  of  the 
air  in  this  wondrous  land. 

Here  was  the  old  house.  They  were  straightening1 
the  road,  digging  away  hills,  filling  up  hollows,  and  a 
corner  of  it  had  tumbled  down.  There  seemed  a  damp, 
marshy  smell  of  the  newly  turned  earth,  and  two  trees 
had  fallen  and  begun  to  wither  up.  The  wood  doves 
were  calling  plaintively. 

"  Oh,  I  wouldn't  come  back  for  anything !  "  cried 
Laverne.  "  Did  we  have  nice  times  here,  and  did  we 
really  like  it?" 

"  This  is  the  hand  of  improvement.  Sometime,  when 
we  are  trotting  over  a  nice  level  road,  with  pretty 
houses  and  grounds,  we  shall  admire  it  again." 

But  it  was  lovely  enough  at  the  Estenegas,  out  of 
doors.  The  children  were  wild  with  delight.  It 
seemed  as  if  Carmencita  had  suddenly  shot  up  into  a 
tall  girl.  And  in  the  autumn  she  was  to  go  to  Mon- 
terey, to  the  old  convent,  where  Dona  Conceptione  de 
Arguello  had  gone  after  her  Russian  lover  had  been 
killed,  and  where  she  had  finally  become  Mother  Su- 
perior and  lived  to  old  age,  always  praying  for  his  soul. 

"  But  I  am  going  only  for  accomplishments.  And 
it  seems  the  distant  cousin  of  the  Estenegas  wishes  a 
wife  who  will  grace  the  great  house  and  carry  on  the 
honors.  Mamacita  is  very  proud  that  he  made  the 
offer.  And  the  children  will  go  up  to  the  Mission  to 
stay  all  the  week  at  the  Sisters'  School." 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS  113 

"  And  they  must  visit  me  sometimes.  The  new. home 
is  so  much  pleasanter.  I  am  going  to  school  also,  and 
I  have  some  new  friends.  It  is  splendid  to  be  in  the 
heart  of  the  city."  Then  she  told  them  about  the  day 
at  Russ's  garden,  and  that  on  to-morrow,  Monday,  she 
was  going  out  to  walk  with  hundreds  of  children 

The  Spanish  girl's  eyes  grew  larger  and  larger  at  all 
the  wonders.  They  walked  up  and  down  with  their 
arms  about  each  other  and  were  full  of  childish  hap- 
piness. Then  Senora  Estenega  summoned  them  to  re- 
freshments on  the  balcony,  now  a  wilderness  of  roses. 
Uncle  Jason  did  not  care  much  for  the  Spanish  sweet- 
meats and  candied  fruits,  the  freshly  ripened  ones  were 
more  to  his  taste  and  he  had  been  quite  spoiled  again 
by  New  England  living.  But  he  knew  how  to  be 
polite. 

It  was  quite  dusk  when  they  reached  home.  Olive 
Personette  had  been  over.  They  would  call  for  her 
to-morrow,  and  she  was  to  be  dressed  in  white,  sure. 
It  would  be  a  greater  thing  than  the  German  Festival. 

And  great  it  surely  was!  There  had  never  been 
such  an  event  in  San  Francisco.  There  were  over  a 
thousand  children,  and  each  one  carried  a  bouquet  of 
flowers.  Miss  Holmes  had  found  some  white  ribbon 
and  trimmed  her  gypsy  hat,  and  the  little  girl  with  her 
fair  hair  looked  like  a  lily.  There  were  crowds  of 
people  in  the  streets  to  see  them,  proud  mothers  and 
aunts.  Each  school  had  a  distinctive  banner,  and  there 
was  a  band  of  music.  The  Queen  of  May  wore  a 
wreath,  and  so  did  her  maids  of  honor. 

When  they  had  gone  through  the  principal  thorough- 
fares and  been  cheered  enthusiastically,  they  moved  to 


n4    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

the  schoolhouse  on  Broadway,  where  they  had  a  little 
sort  of  play  dialogue,  and  sang  some  beautiful  songs. 
A  few  brief  addresses  were  made,  and  San  Francisco 
declared  itself  proud  of  its  children  that  day,  the  chil- 
dren who  were  to  be  the  future  men  and  women  of  the 
city. 

Then  there  was  quite  a  feast,  which  the  young  people 
enjoyed  mightily.  How  they  laughed  and  talked  and 
declared  they  would  riot  have  missed  it  for  anything. 

Afterward  they  dispersed.  The  Personette  carriage 
was  waiting,  with  instructions  to  take  home  all  it  would 
hold,  so  they  crowded  in.  And  at  the  gate  stood  Uncle 
Jason. 

"  Oh,"  the  little  girl  exclaimed,  with  a  tired  sigh,  "  it 
was  just  splendid.  If  you  had  only  been  there !  " 

"  Do  you  think  I  would  have  missed  it  ?  I  came  up 
to  see  the  procession  and  I  picked  you  out,  walking 
with  Olive.  Why,  I  was  as  proud  of  you  as  if  you  had 
been  the  Queen." 

"  But  the  Queen  was  lovely.  And  the  play !  I 
couldn't  hear  all  of  it,  there  was  such  a  crowd,  and 
I  had  to  stand  up  to  see.  Wasn't  it  good  of  Olive  to 
ask  me !  And  she  wanted  to  take  me  home  to  dinner." 

"  I  couldn't  have  eaten  dinner  without  you."  He 
kissed  her  over  and  over  again.  He  was  so  glad  to  see 
her  happy.  Not  that  she  was  ever  a  sad  little  girl. 

Miss  Holmes  was  very  much  improved  and  regretted 
she  could  not  have  gone  out  to  see  the  procession. 
Snippy  had  called,  and  all  the  cracker  bits  were  gone, 
but  she  had  seen  the  wood  doves  carrying  off  some  of 
the  crumbs. 

"  I  guess  Snippy  has  moved  for  good,"  said  Uncle 


GIRLS  AND   GIRLS  115 

Jason.  "  It's  rather  funny,  too.  You  must  have 
charmed  him." 

She  gave  a  pleased  laugh. 

Nearly  midnight  of  that  happy  day  the  bells  rang 
out  with  their  dreadful  alarm.  Uncle  Jason  sprang 
up,  and  before  he  was  dressed  he  saw  the  blaze. 
Citizens  turned  out  en  masse.  The  Rassete  House  on 
Sansome  Street  was  in  a  sheet  of  flame.  A  fine  five- 
story  hotel,  full  of  lodgers,  who  had  to  flee  for  their 
lives.  The  firemen  were  quite  well  organized  now  and 
made  great  efforts  to  keep  it  from  spreading,  remem- 
bering the  former  big  fires.  In  this  they  were  quite 
successful.  Other  generous  people  were  taking  in  the 
four  hundred  homeless  ones,  and  it  was  found  the  next 
day  that  no  lives  had  been  lost,  which  was  a  source  of 
thanksgiving. 

A  little  later  there  were  some  imposing  ceremonies 
near  the  Presidio,  just  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  This 
was  the  commencement  of  the  Mountain  Lake  Water 
Works,  a  much-needed  project.  There  were  various 
artesian  wells,  and  water  was  brought  in  tanks  from 
Sausalito,  but  the  supply  was  inadequate  in  case  of  fires 
and  the  city  was  growing  so  rapidly.  The  rather 
curious  Mountain  Lake  was  not  large,  but  a  short  dis- 
tance from  its  northern  margin  a  stream  of  water 
gushed  through  the  ground,  which  was  a  great  spring 
or  a  subterranean  river  from  the  opposite  shores.  It 
was  begun  with  great  rejoicing,  but  like  all  large  under- 
takings it  had  progressed  slowly. 

Indeed,  San  Francisco  had  so  many  things  on  its 
hands.  There  were  plans  for  the  State  Marine  Hos- 
pital and  other  benevolent  institutions.  Churches  too 


u6    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

were  urging  demands  on  a  generous  people  who  felt 
they  must  make  an  effort  to  redeem  the  standing  of 
the  city.  The  toughs  had  been  somewhat  restrained, 
but  the  continual  influx  of  miners  with  their  pouches  of 
gold,  ready  for  any  orgies  after  having  been  deprived 
of  the  amenities  of  social  life,  and  the  emigration  from 
nearly  all  quarters  of  the  globe  constituted  a  class  very 
difficult  to  govern,  who  drank,  gambled,  frequented 
dance  houses,  quarrelled,  and  scrupled  not  at  murder. 

But  of  this  side  the  little  girl  was  to  hear  nothing, 
though  Uncle  Jason  was  often  shocked  in  spite  of  all 
his  experiences.  He  was  having  a  warehouse  down  on 
the  bay,  fitting  out  vessels,  disposing  of  cargoes,  and 
keeping  the  peace  with  one  of  those  imperturbable 
temperaments,  grown  wise  by  training  of  various  sorts, 
and  the  deep  settled  endeavor  to  make  a  fortune  for  the 
Little  Girl.  It  did  not  matter  so  much  now,  but  when 
she  grew  up  she  should  be  a  lady  and  have  everything 
heart  could  desire. 

In  a  short  street  that  came  to  be  called  Pine  after- 
ward, and  was  at  the  head  of  the  streets  that  were  to 
be  named  after  trees,  there  stood  quite  a  substantial 
brick  building  with  some  fine  grounds.  Here  a  Mrs. 
Goddart  and  her  sister,  Miss  Bain,  kept  a  school  for 
young  girls  and  smaller  children,  and  had  a  few  board- 
ing scholars.  The  Personette  girls  had  gone  there  be- 
cause it  was  near  by,  and  out  of  the  range  of  the  noisier 
part  of  the  city.  Howard  was  at  the  San  Francisco 
Academy,  kept  by  a  Mr.  Prevaux,  in  quite  a  different 
direction.  There  was  a  plan  for  a  new  public  school 
on  Telegraph  Hill,  but  these  were  more  largely  filled 
with  boys,  as  is  often  the  case  in  the  youth  of  towns. 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS 


117 


So  the  little  girl  went  to  Mrs.  Goddart's  and  quite 
surprised  her  teachers  by  her  acquirements  and  her 
love  of  study.  Perhaps,  if  she  had  not  lived  so  much 
alone  she  would  have  been  more  interested  in  play  and 
childish  gossip.  And  her  walks  with  Uncle  Jason  had 
brought  her  into  companionship  not  only  with  trees 
and  flowers,  but  with  different  countries  of  the  world, 
and  their  products.  Uncle  Jason  had  grafted  upon  a 
boy's  common  education  the  intelligence  that  travel  and 
business  give,  and  though  a  quiet  man  he  had  taken  a 
keen  interest  not  only  in  the  resources  of  countries,  but 
their  governments  as  well,  and  these  things  were  the 
little  girl's  fairy  stories.  She  would  find  the  places  on 
the  map,  the  Orient,  the  northern  coast  of  Africa,  the 
country  of  the  Turks,  Arabia,  India.  A  trading  vessel 
goes  from  port  to  port. 

She  liked  her  school  very  much,  though  she  was 
rather  shy  of  the  girls.  Some  of  them  called  her  a 
little  prig  because  she  would  not  talk  and  was  correct 
in  her  deportment.  She  found  in  the  course  of  a  few 
days  that  Olive  "  squirmed  "  out  of  some  things  and 
did  not  always  tell  the  truth.  Back  in  Maine  children 
had  been  soundly  whipped  for  telling  falsehoods  and 
it  was  considered  shameful;  Miss  Holmes  was  a 
very  upright  person,  of  the  old  Puritan  strain. 

She  was  not  finding  fault,  but  she  did  want  to  know 
if  a  prig  was  something  rather  disgraceful. 

"  It  is  never  disgraceful  to  be  honest  in  word  and 
deed,  to  obey  whatever  rules  are  set  before  you,  to 
study  honestly  and  not  shirk.  I  think  the  prig  would 
set  himself  above  his  neighbors  for  this,  but  you  see  he 
would  only  be  doing  his  duty,  he  would  have  no  extra 


n8    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

claim.  But  when  he  set  himself  up  to  be  better  than 
his  neighbors  and  triumphed  over  them,  he  would  be  a 
Prig-" 

Her  delicately  pencilled  brows  worked  a  little. 

"  Some  of  them  are  ever  so  much  prettier  than  I  am," 
she  said  innocently,  "  and  they  say  such  funny  things, 
and  their  clothes  are  very  nice.  Well,  I  like  them.  We 
have  such  fun  playing  at  recess." 

He  remembered  about  the  clothes  and  spoke  to  Miss 
Holmes. 

"  I  do  not  think  it  best  to  dress  a  child  so  much  for 
school.  What  will  she  have  afterward?  And  it  does 
fill  their  heads  with  vanity." 

He  had  given  her  a  pretty  ring  for  a  birthday,  and 
she  had  her  grandmother's  string  of  gold  beads  that 
had  come  over  from  London  with  some  great,  great- 
grandmother. 

Snippy  had  settled  himself  quite  comfortably,  just 
where  they  could  not  tell,  and  he  had  evidently  coaxed 
his  wife  to  emigrate.  She  was  not  quite  as  handsome 
as  he.  Dick  Folsom,  who  ran  up  every  now  and  then, 
said  he  was  what  was  called  a  hare  squirrel,  on  account 
of  his  splendid  feathery  tail,  though  why,  he  couldn't 
see,  as  hares  had  scarcely  any  tail  at  all.  Snippy  was  so 
tame  now,  or  else  he  was  so  glad  to  be  near  the  little 
girl,  that  he  was  not  much  afraid  of  strangers  if  they 
did  not  offer  to  touch  him.  He  would  run  around 
Uncle  Jason,  and  nose  in  his  pockets  until  he  found 
nuts  or  crumbs.  But  he  didn't  like  tobacco  a  bit  and 
scolded  in  his  funny  way  when  he  came  across  that. 

Pelajo  was  not  forgotten,  though  he  sometimes  com- 
plained a  little.  Uncle  Jason  said  Miss  Holmes  must 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS 


119 


learn  to  ride.  The  big  dray  horse  was  not  fit  for  a 
lady,  and  though  the  Mexican  and  Indian  women  rode 
mules  and  were  very  expert,  they  were  not  considered 
quite  the  thing. 

There  was  a  stream  coming  out  in  a  sort  of  split 
rock  up  above  the  place,  and  it  made  a  kind  of  pool  just 
below.  In  the  autumn  rains  it  ran  along  down  the  slope 
of  the  ground,  tumbling  over  the  stones  that  were  in 
its  way.  Pablo  and  the  little  girl  had  made  quite  a 
pretty  waterfall  and  a  new  pond  where  the  ducks  could 
swim  about.  The  upper  one  they  covered  over  and  had 
for  family  use.  Springs  were  not  very  plentiful,  and 
Uncle  Jason  believed  this  a  little  underground  spur  of 
the  Mountain  Lake,  as  it  never  quite  dried  up. 

And  one  Saturday,  when  Laverne  was  working  at 
her  stream,  meaning  to  make  it  more  extensive  when 
the  rainy  season  set  in,  a  great  white  something  fell  at 
her  very  feet  and  gave  such  a  screech  that  she  started 
and  ran.  It  lay  on  the  ground  and  fluttered  and  cried, 
so  she  knew  it  was  some  kind  of  a  bird  and  came  nearer. 
It  looked  up  at  her  out  of  frightened  black  eyes,  rose 
on  one  foot,  flapped  one  wing,  and  fell  over  again. 
Was  it  really  a  gull  ? 

She  called  Pablo. 

"  Yes,  Senorita,  it  is  a  gull.  I  never  could  get 
nearby  one  unless  it  was  shot.  They  are  the  wildest 
things.  This  have  a  leg  broke,"  and  he  picked  up  the 
limp  member. 

"  Oh,  the  poor  thing,"  softly  stroking  it. 

"  And  wing  too,  see  ?     Better  kill  it." 

"  Oh,  no,  no !  Poor  thing,"  she  cried,  full  of  sym- 
pathy. 


no    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  What  then?    He  must  die.    He  starve/' 

"  No,  we  can  feed  him." 

"  But  he  eat  fish." 

"  So  do  we.  There  is  plenty  of  fish.  And  you 
catch  so  many.  Can't  you  do  anything  for  him  ?  " 

Pablo  lifted  the  leg  again,  and  examined  it. 

"  No — shot !  "  he  exclaimed,  shaking  his  head. 

"  Why  couldn't  you  do  it  up  in  splints  ?  " 

"  Not  worth  it,"  and  he  shook  his  head  decisively. 
"  And  the  wing  too.  Yes,  that's  shot." 

Laverne  patted  the  poor  thing,  who  screeched  and 
tried  to  rise.  How  soft  the  feathers  were  and  snowy 
white,  except  about  the  neck  that  had  the  faintest  shade 
of  blue.  Then,  suddenly,  she  picked  it  up  in  her  skirt, 
though  it  struggled.  How  light  it  was  for  such  a  large 
thing.  She  had  taken  off  her  shoes  and  stockings 
while  she  was  paddling  in  the  stream,  and  she  ran  down 
to  the  house  not  minding  the  rough  path. 

"Oh,  see  this  poor  gull!"  she  cried.  "It  just 
dropped  down — out  of  the  clouds,  I  guess.  There  were 
no  others  around." 

She  laid  it  down  on  the  patch  of  grass  Miss  Holmes 
took  great  pains  with  for  a  bleachery. 

"  Poor  thing !  "  said  the  lady  pityingly. 

"  Better  end  him,"  and  Pablo  took  hold  of  his  neck. 

"  No,  no,  no !  You  shall  not  kill  him.  Poor  fel- 
low ! "  she  cried. 

He  was  gasping  now,  and  then  he  lay  quite  still, 
exhausted. 

"You  could  splint  up  his  leg,"  said  Miss  Holmes. 
"  You  did  the  duck,  you  know." 

"  That  good  for  something.     He  squak  and  squak." 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS  121 

"  Yes,  you  must  splint  it  up,"  Laverne  said,  with  de- 
cision. "  I  can  find  some  cord,  and — what  will  you 
have?" 

Pablo  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  said  something 
just  under  his  breath  in  pure  Mexican,  not  quite  the 
thing  for  a  little  girl  to  hear. 

"  And  when  Uncle  Jason  comes  home  we  will  see 
about  the  wing.  Won't  this  old  basket  make  splints  ?  " 

Pablo  went  about  his  job  unwillingly.  Laverne 
wrapped  him  up  so  that  he  could  not  kick  with  the 
other  leg,  and  presently  they  had  the  wounded  member 
bandaged.  The  gull  lay  quite  still,  but  Laverne  saw 
the  frightened  heart  beat  through  the  feathers. 

Pablo  raised  the  wing  and  shook  his  head  dubiously. 

"  Uncle  Jason  is  coming  home  early  with  the  horses, 
you  know,"  she  said  to  Miss  Holmes.  "  Oh,  my  shoes 
and  stockings !  "  and  off  she  ran  to  the  spot  where  they 
had  been  at  work.  "  Pablo  can  go  on  clearing  this 
out,"  she  said  to  herself.  "  It  will  be  all  ready  when 
the  rainy  season  sets  in.  Oh,  the  poor  flowers !  Sun, 
why  do  you  scorch  them  up  so!  And  in  Maine  the 
summer  is  so  delightful.  But  the  winter,  oh !  "  and  she 
made  a  half  wry,  half  amused  face. 

She  was  all  ready  when  Uncle  Jason  came  up  the 
street  on  one  horse  and  leading  the  other;  and  aU 
eagerness,  she  was  telling  her  story  while  he  dis- 
mounted and  fastened  them  both. 

"  That's  funny,"  he  said.  "  Next  a  black  bear  will 
come  knocking  at  your  door.  Or  you  might  snare  a 
silver-gray  fox  and  have  a  tippet  made  of  his  skin." 

"  As  if  I  could  be  so  cruel !  " 

The  gull  had  hardly  moved.     Now,  it  seemed  fright- 


122    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

ened  at  the  strange  face  and  struggled.  Uncle  Jason 
spoke  softly,  and  lifted  the  wounded  wing  which  was 
considerably  shattered. 

"  I  suppose  it  could  be  mended,  but  there  are  hun- 
dreds of  gulls." 

"This  one  came  straight  to  me.  Why,  he  fairly 
asked  me  to  take  pity  on  him ;  "  and  she  drew  an  eager 
breath. 

She  was  a  very  sympathetic  little  girl,  and  he  smiled. 

Some  shot  had  better  be  taken  out.  He  opened  the 
small  blade  of  his  knife.  It  was  not  a  really  fresh 
wound,  for  the  blood  was  dry.  He  picked  out  the  shot, 
scraped  the  pieces  of  bone  a  trifle,  and  studied  how  they 
were  to  go  together,  Pablo  holding  the  body  tight. 
He  pulled  out  some  of  the  downy  feathers,  pinched  the 
skin  together,  wound  it  with  threads  of  soft  silk  and 
then  bound  it  up  with  splints. 

"  Poor  thing,"  he  said. 

"  Don't  you  believe  he  will  get  over  it  ?  Oh,  what  if 
he  never  could  fly  again." 

"  Then  he  will  have  to  live  with  you." 

"  Oh,  I  should  like  that  if  he  would  only  be  content." 

Then  they  put  him  in  a  tub  so  he  could  not  flounder 
around  much,  and  laid  some  bits  of  meat  near  him. 
Pablo  was  to  keep  watch  so  that  no  evil  would  happen. 

Miss  Holmes  had  hardly  mounted  a  horse  since  girl- 
hood. She  did  feel  a  little  timid. 

"  She's  a  lady's  mount  and  very  gentle.  Old  knowl- 
edge soon  comes  back  to  one,"  Uncle  Jason  said,  with 
an  encouraging  smile. 

They  took  their  way  up  on  the  cliff,  where  there  was 
a  pretence  of  a  road  that  long  afterward  was  to  be 


GIRLS  AND  GIRLS  123 

magnificent.  From  here  the  town  was  a  succession 
of  terraces  to  the  bay.  The  houses  were  in  many  in- 
stances hidden,  but  here  and  there  a  high  one,  or  a 
church,  loomed  up. 

On  the  ocean  side  it  was  simply  magnificent.  The 
wave-washed  rocks  glinting  in  the  brilliant  sunlight,  the 
seals  diving,  swimming  about  as  if  they  were  at  play, 
then  coming  up  to  sun  themselves,  the  flocks  of  gulls, 
the  terns,  the  murres,  and  the  fulmars,  who  expertly 
catch  fish  from  the  gulls,  the  auks,  diving  and  swim- 
ming about.  To-day  almost  every  variety  seemed  out. 

The  air  was  like  the  wine  of  a  new  life  and  made  the 
blood  tingle  in  the  veins.  The  midday  heat  was  over, 
the  west  wind  bore  the  tang  of  the  broad  ocean.  Miss 
Holmes  wondered  if  she  had  ever  known  before  this 
just  what  life  was,  and  the  joy  of  living. 


CHAPTER  IX 

A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER 

WHEN  the  sun  dropped  into  the  ocean  the  world  for  a 
time  seemed  ablaze.  Certainly,  here  was  the  place  for 
sunsets.  And  as  they  went  on  they  crushed  the  dying 
ferns  and  foot-high  evergreens  into  penetrating  fra- 
grance. Down  below  the  Estenegas  they  turned 
around  and  took  a  lower  road  that  had  little  in  it  ex- 
cept the  whispering  trees  and  plaintive  bird  songs,  until 
houses  came  into  view,  and  human  figures  moving 
about.  They  did  not  go  down  in  the  city,  there  was 
always  more  or  less  carousing  on  Saturday  night.  A 
strong  young  voice  was  shouting  out  a  favorite  song: 

"  Oh,  Sally,  dearest  Sally  ;  oh,  Sally,  for  your  sake, 
I'll  go  to  California  and  try  to  make  a  shake  ; 
Says  she  to  me,  '  Joe  Bowers,  you  are  the  man  to  win, 
Here's  a  kiss  to  bind  the  bargain/  and  she  hove  a  dozen  in." 

There  were  musical  voices,  too.  A  square  below 
them  a  wagon  load  were  singing  to  the  accompaniment 
of  an  accordion.  Lights  were  flashing  out,  throngs 
began  to  gather  in  the  streets,  and  they  were  glad  to 
canter  away  to  quiet. 

"  It  is  the  most  splendid  thing  of  my  life,"  Miss 
Holmes  said. 

"  And  you  have  done  exceptionally  well.  You  and 
Laverne  can  take  many  an  hour's  enjoyment  when  I 
am  busy." 

124 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  125 

Pablo  took  the  horses  down  while  Miss  Holmes 
spread  the  supper,  and  the  two  went  to  look  after  the 
gull,  who  seemed  very  well  content,  and  allowed  his 
neck  to  be  stroked  without  demur. 

"  And  we  saw  a  great  bird  snatch  a  fish  from  one  of 
your  kind,''  Laverne  told  him.  "  And  such  lots  of 
your  relations ! " 

Bruno  looked  on  curiously. 

"  Don't  you  touch  him.  And  don't  you  let  any  wild 
cat  or  fox  come  after  him.  Mind,  now." 

Bruno  beat  his  tail  on  the  dry  grass. 

If  there  were  nations  from  almost  every  corner  of 
the  globe,  they  all  joined  in  celebrating  Fourth  of  July. 
This  year  there  was  a  fine  military  parade,  and  Sutter's 
Rifles  from  Sacramento  City  came  up  and  passed  in 
review  before  the  old  true-hearted  pioneer,  Major-Gen- 
eral John  H.  Sutter,  rapturously  applauded  by  the 
crowd.  Then  they  marched  to  the  Russ  Garden, 
where  they  were  presented  with  a  set  of  colors.  Irish 
and  German  were  alike  patriotic.  There  were  singing 
and  speeches;  booths  on  corners  dispensed  simple  re- 
freshments to  the  weary  and  the  children.  Carriages 
were  ornamented  with  small  flags,  and  filled  with  the 
better  class,  who  cheered  as  heartily.  It  was  really  a 
gala  day.  They  had  been  invited  to  the  Personettes, 
where  tea  was  set  out  on  the  lawn,  and  as  there  was  no 
moon  it  was  hung  with  Chinese  lanterns.  There  were 
some  schoolgirls,  and  they  had  a  table  to  themselves, 
and  some  dancing.  Several  of  the  young  people  gave 
the  fancy  dances  they  had  learned  at  the  classes  the 
winter  before. 

Vacations  had  generally  commenced.     There  were 


126     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

picnics  to  San  Jose  and  mountain  climbs;  there  were 
excursions  up  and  down  the  bay  and  to  the  towns 
opposite  up  to  San  Pablo  and  Mare's  Island,  over 
to  Sausalito.  And  on  Sunday,  the  road  to  the  old  Mis- 
sion Dolores  was  always  thronged  with  pleasure-seek- 
ers, elegant  open  carriages  filled  with  finely-dressed 
ladies,  equestrians  of  all  kinds,  and  the  Spanish  senors 
often  disported  themselves  in  all  their  bravery.  Miss 
Holmes  was  rather  startled  at  first,  and  to  her  it  was. 
Sabbath-breaking,  but  Jason  Chadsey  was  so  used  to 
the  cosmopolitan  order  of  the  day,  and  she  met  the 
people  who  had  been  to  church  in  the  morning. 

The  hot  sun  and  lack  of  rain  had  not  dried  up  every- 
thing. There  were  fogs  on  the  coast  that  dripped 
like  fine  rain,  and  fairly  drenched  bush  and  faded  grass. 
There  were  fine  green  hills  and  fields  of  flowers,  and 
the  new  crop  of  wild  oats  and  barley. 

And  then  autumn  came  in  again,  schools  opened, 
business  stirred  up,  there  were  blessed  rains,  and  it  was 
like  a  later  summer. 

The  little  girl  had  been  much  interested  in  her  gull 
and  he  had  grown  very  fond  of  her,  eating  out  of  her 
hand,  and  hiding  his  head  under  her  arms  as  the 
squirrel  did.  She  had  traced  Snippy  to  his  home,  and 
sure  enough  he  had  a  companion.  There  was  an  old 
scrubby  dead  pine  in  which  there  was  a  hollow,  or  they 
had  gnawed  it,  and  thither  they  carried  nuts  and  crusts 
of  bread  that  Laverne  pretended  to  lose. 

"  Uncle  Jason,"  she  said  one  day,  "  did  you  ever  see 
an  albatross  ?  " 

"  Yes.  Not  very  often.  They  are  in  the  Northern 
Pacific." 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  127 

"  They  are  not  like  gulls." 

"  Oh,  much  larger." 

"  There  is  a  story  about  one.  Miss  Bain  has  it  in 
a  beautiful  book.  One  day  she  read  it." 

"  Oh,  '  The  Ancient  Mariner.'  " 

"  Do  you  know  about  it  ?  "  Her  face  was  alight 
with  pleasure.  "  And  is  it  true  ?  Did  he  kill  the 
bird: 

"  '  Who,  every  day  for  food  or  play, 
Came  to  the  Mariner's  hollo.' " 

"  It's  a  queer  story.  No,  I  don't  suppose  it  was 
really  true.  But  it  is  always  considered  bad  luck  to 
kill  one.  I  must  get  the  book  for  you." 

"  Oh,  if  you  would,"  in  her  pretty,  coaxing  way. 
"  Pablo  wanted  to  kill  the  gull.  Then  we  might  have 
had  bad  luck.  And  now  we  can't  find  any  name  for 
him." 

"  That's  bad,  too." 

His  leg  had  mended  nicely  and  the  splints  were  off, 
though  it  must  be  confessed  he  had  tugged  a  great  deal 
at  them,  and  could  not  be  brought  to  understand  their 
benefit,  though  it  was  explained  over  and  over  again. 
But  his  wing  did  not  seem  to  be  just  right,  and  his 
efforts  to  fly  were  not  successful. 

"  But  I  wish  he  could.  He  would  look  so  lovely 
sailing  about." 

"And  fly  away!" 

"  Oh,  I  don't  really  believe  he  would." 

Uncle  Jason  brought  home  a  fine  illustrated  copy  of 
the  "  Ancient  Mariner  "  from  an  English  press.  In 
the  early  fifties,  even  in  vaunted  New  York,  Boston, 


128    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  Philadelphia  illustrating  had  not  reached  the  higli 
point  of  art  it  was  destined  to  later  on. 

She  was  delighted  and  in  a  little  while  knew  it  all 
by  heart.  She  grew  very  fond  of  poetry.  She  used 
to  read  to  the  gull  until  he  seemed  hypnotized,  and 
presently  would  nod,  sometimes  put  his  head  under  his 
wing. 

In  September,  there  was  another  great  celebration 
on  the  opening  of  the  first  electric  telegraph.  This 
was  between  San  Francisco  and  Point  Lobos,  and  was 
erected  by  Messrs.  Sweeny  and  Baugh  to  give  early 
information  of  shipping  arrivals.  They  had  a  station 
on  Telegraph  Hill  in  which  they  used  various  signals, 
but  this  was  of  immeasurably  greater  service. 

Early  in  November,  there  was  the  anniversary  of 
the  founding  of  the  Mission  of  Dolores.  There  were 
a  number  of  Catholic  children  in  the  school,  and  a  holi- 
day was  given. 

"  Oh,  come,  go,"  Olive  coaxed.  "  Eulogia  Garfias 
and  her  mother  are  going,  and  we  are  great  friends. 
You Ve  never  been  in  a  Catholic  Church  ?  " 

"  No ;  but  I  know  some  Catholic  girls,  and  one  has 
gone  to  a  convent  to  be  educated.  Oh,  and  the  two 
little  ones  were  to  come  up  to  the  Sisters'  School." 

"  Why,  maybe  they  will  be  there." 

She  had  not  been  to  the  Estenegas  in  a  long,  long 
time;  since  the  day  she  and  Uncle  Jason  had  ridden 
down  there. 

Miss  Holmes  made  no  objection.  People  grew 
broader  in  this  grand  air.  There  were  many  points 
in  which  all  denominations  worked  together  for  the 
city's  welfare. 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  129 

It  was  constructed  of  adobe,  partly  whitewashed. 
It  had  been  very  grand  in  its  day,  and  had  a  capacious 
interior.  The  walls  and  roof  roughly  painted  still  held 
saints  and  angels  and  sacred  subjects  much  faded  by 
the  seventy-five  years.  The  damp  earthen  floor  struck 
a  chill  to  one.  Some  of  the  ornaments  of  the  great 
altar  had  been  carried  away,  and  those  left  were  of  no 
great  value.  But  on  this  occasion  every  year  there 
was  a  large  accession  of  worshippers,  even  Spanish 
and  Mexican  men  as  well  as  women,  kneeling  rev- 
erently on  the  floor,  and  that  seemed  strange  to  La- 
verne,  who  glanced  up  with  great  awe  to  the  figure  of 
the  Christ  on  the  cross  between  the  two  oriel  windows. 
At  the  side  was  a  female  figure  with  hands  clasped,  the 
Virgin.  Tall  candles  were  burning  on  each  side  of 
the  altar. 

The  service  was  mostly  in  Latin.  The  congregation 
went  out  reverently,  some  to  walk  in  the  small  grave- 
yard. Yes,  there  were  Juana  and  Anesta  and  several 
other  girls,  attended  by  a  sister.  They  were  delighted 
to  meet  Laverne,  and  were  full  of  confidences  as  they 
walked  out  to  the  street.  The  house  was  shut  up, 
their  mother  had  gone  to  Monterey,  and  they  were 
staying  at  school  all  the  time.  They  liked  it  so  much. 
And,  if  they  were  allowed,  they  would  be  so  glad  to 
visit  Laverne.  Eulogia  Garfias  knew  the  sister 
and  introduced  her  schoolmates;  that  made  the 
sister  soften  somewhat  to  them,  and  listen  to  their 
plea. 

So  Laverne  had  quite  an  eventful  morning. 

"  But  the  little  girls  look  sad,  I  think,"  she  com- 
mented. "  And  the  old  church  isn't  a  bit  pretty,  it 


I3o    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

looks  faded.  And  no  seats  to  sit  on.  It  didn't  seem 
at  all  like  church/' 

What  with  lessons,  her  pets,  and  her  rides,  the  days 
were  all  too  short.  Her  gull  still  remained  and  now 
could  fly  a  short  distance.  It  really  seemed  to  love 
the  shelter  of  the  house,  and  this  amused  Uncle  Jason 
very  much.  Then  it  never  flapped  its  wings,  but 
seemed  to  rise  slowly  and  float  about  with  a  serene 
air.  It  enjoyed  the  stream  and  the  new  lake  Pablo  and 
Laverne  had  made.  For  now  the  frequent  rains 
swelled  all  the  streams,  and  the  bright  bracing  north- 
west winds  brought  the  fragrance  of  spring.  Every- 
thing grew  by  bounds.  The  little  girl  could  hardly 
believe  it  was  winter.  The  bluest  skies,  the  golden 
sunshine  that  flashed  in  streams  of  brilliance,  the  bay 
a  sea  of  silver  bearing  on  its  bosom  treasures  of  every 
land. 

And  so  came  in  a  Merry  Christmas,  with  pleasure  in 
every  home;  a  children's  festival,  with  not  so  much 
religious  significance  as  now.  They  went  to  a  grand 
dinner  at  Mrs.  Personette's,  Miss  Gaines  with  them, 
who  looked  splendid  in  her  satin  gown,  and  who  was 
coining  money  rapidly.  Lines  were  not  very  closely 
drawn;  the  aristocrat  of  to-day  riding  round  in  his 
carriage  was  the  workman  of  last  year.  The  poor 
mechanic  lucky  enough  to  find  a  nugget  of  gold 
brought  his  wife  in  the  front  rank  and  dressed  her  in 
velvet,  loaded  her  with  jewels.  The  keeper  of  an 
ordinary  restaurant  branched  out  presently  in  a  very 
respectable  hotel.  It  was  difficult  to  keep  up  with  all 
the  changes.  Then,  it  must  be  admitted,  that  many  of 
these  people  were  from  the  East  and  had  good  educa- 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  131 

tions,  had,  indeed,  been  accustomed  to  the  refinements 
of  civilized  life,  but  the  thought  of  making  a  fortune 
in  a  few  years  had  given  them  courage  to  breast  the 
vulgarity  and  rough  life  until  they  could  advance 
themselves  to  the  old  standard. 

The  children  had  a  party  in  the  evening.  Howard 
had  gone  to  a  preparatory  school  in  the  East,  as  his 
keen-eyed  stepmother  found  he  was  in  a  rather  dan- 
gerous circle  of  young  men — girls,  too,  for  that  matter 
—who  were  likely  to  lead  one  astray,  and  this  had  also 
influenced  Isabel  and  was  bringing  her  forward  much 
more  rapidly  than  was  judicious.  So  they  were  prin- 
cipally schoolgirls,  with  the  cousin  from  Oaklands 
and  the  young  sons  of  a  few  friends  and  neighbors. 
At  first  Isabel  was  rather  stiff  and  important,  but  she 
thawed  presently.  Mrs.  Personette  remembered  her 
own  youth  and  how  much  these  pleasures  had  been  to 
her,  and  really  exerted  herself  in  a  delightful  manner 
to  keep  them  well  entertained. 

Victor  Savedra,  one  of  the  cousins  from  Oaklands, 
took  a  great  fancy  to  the  shy  little  girl,  and  asked  her 
to  dance. 

"  I  don't  know  how,"  she  said,  flushing  and  draw- 
ing back. 

"Why — don't  you  dance?"  in  surprise. 

"  Just  a  little,  with  the  girls  at  school.  But— I  am 
afraid " 

"Why,  I'll  take  you  through.  This  is  just  the 
plainest  quadrille.  Oh,  Aunt  Grace,  don't  you  think 
this  — "  little  girl,  he  was  about  to  say — "  your  name  is 
Laverne,  isn't  it — can't  she  dance  ?  She  looks  as  if  she 
could — she's  as  light  as  a  feather." 


i32     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Oh,  you  can  never  learn  younger.  All  the  chil- 
dren dance  here.  I  think  it  comes  natural.  But  you 
are  too  late  for  that.  And,  Victor,  you  might  be  ex- 
plaining the  figures  to  her  and  be  ready  for  the  next 
one." 

Victor  led  her  a  little  to  one  side.  "  Aunt  Grace  is 
just  a  trump,"  he  said.  "  We  thought  at  first  we 
shouldn't  like  her,  some  of  the  Yankees  are  so  queer, 
and  talk  so  outlandish  and  all  that,  through  their  noses, 
you  know,  but  she  is  just  a  lady  all  through,  and  full 
of  fun.  Now,  look  at  this — it's  an  easy  figure — 
balancing  to  corners,  turning  your  partner  and  a  galop 
down  the  middle " 

"Why,  it's  like  the  fairy  rings  you  read  about — I 
have  a  splendid  fairy  book  uncle  brought  me,  and  on 
moonlight  nights  the  little  people  go  out  and  dance  on 
the  green.  The  Irish  stories  are  just  enchanting. 
They  love  the  little  people." 

Her  eyes  had  been  following  the  dances  and  she 
moved  her  head  faintly  as  if  she  was  keeping 
time.  Then  the  fiddles  gave  a  sharp  staccato  and 
stopped. 

"  Oh,"  she  exclaimed,  in  bewilderment. 

He  laughed  at  the  startled  look. 

"  They'll  tune  up  and  begin  again."  Oh,  what 
eager  eyes  she  had.  Why,  she  was  really  very  pretty, 
with  that  soft  rose  flush  and  fair  hair.  Olive  had 
called  her  "  a  plain  little  thing." 

Sure  enough  that  was  long  ago,  remember,  before 
we  heard  of  Strauss  and  Sousa.  Many  a  quadrille 
has  begun  with  "  Life  let  us  cherish."  Victor  took  her 
hand  and  fairly  impelled  her  out  on  the  floor.  "  Now, 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  133 

I'll  tell  you  everything,  and  you  just  mind  and  don't 
feel  afraid." 

She  never  knew  whether  she  minded  or  not.  She 
was  thinking  of  Nora  of  the  Mill  when  she  stepped  in 
the  magic  ring,  and  Laudeen,  with  the  blue  coat  and  a 
firefly  for  each  button  all  the  way  down,  just  whisked 
her  around  until  the  air  was  full  of  fireflies.  It  was 
splendid. 

"  Oh,  you've  done  very  well,"  Victor  said,  in  a  de- 
lighted tone.  "  You  didn't  mind  the  mistakes  at  all,  but 
just  kept  on,  and  that's  the  way  to  do.  But  you  must 
learn  to  dance  regularly.  And  I  hope  we  shall  dance  to- 
gether often.  You  are  just  like  a  fairy.  That  Larkin 
girl  trod  on  my  foot  about  every  other  step.  Oh,  that 
is  the  Cheat.  That's  rare  fun.  Now,  see — when  it 
is  '  All  hands  round,'  and  your  partner  turns  the  other 
girls,  come  straight  back  to  him,  to  me,  will  you? 
The  fellows  left  out  get  laughed  at.  Now,  you'll  see." 

When  the  Cheat  came  he  told  her  again.  She  turned 
away  from  the  outstretched  arms  and  looked  for  Vic- 
tor, whose  face  was  flushed.  For  he  felt  he  had  been 
really  rude  to  one  of  the  best  dancers  in  the  room. 
And  in  the  next  Cheat  some  one  picked  up  Laverne, 
almost  lifting  her  off  her  feet,  while  Esta  Collins  paid 
him  back  with  interest  and  a  triumphant  smile. 

"  I  didn't  do  it  right,"  Laverne  said  ruefully.  "  He 
was  so  big  and  strong,  and  I  never  saw  him " 

"  Oh,  that's  a  good  deal  of  the  fun  when  you  know 
all  about  it.  The  girls  flirt  awfully,  but  now  and  then 
one  gets  left  in  the  lurch.  The  next  is  the  Spanish 
Galop,  and  then  the  refreshments.  Who  is  going  to 
take  you  in?" 


i34    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Why— I  don't  know "  hesitatingly. 

"  Then  I  will,  and  we  will  have  this  galop." 

"Victor,"  Isabel  said,  rather  sharply,  in  the  pause. 
"  You  take  Miss  Payne  in  for  refreshments." 

"  Can't,  my  dear  cousin.  I  wouldn't  dare  poach  on 
Leon  Sturges'  manor." 

"  Victor !  "     But  he  had  gone. 

"  Just  see  how  that  little  thing  holds  on  to  Victor ! 
Olive,  you  put  a  stop  to  it  as  soon  as  supper  is  over. 
I  didn't  think  Victor  would  make  such  a  fool  of  him- 
self. He's  danced  three  times  with  her.  And  she's 
just  crazy  over  it.  She's  making  a  sight  of  herself." 

Olive  nodded.  She  had  had  all  the  attention  she 
wanted,  and  had  never  once  thought  of  Laverne,  or 
Victor  either. 

Victor  was  asking  if  Laverne  didn't  most  blow  away 
up  on  the  hill  where  she  lived,  and  if  she  didn't  get  lost 
in  the  dreadful  fogs.  And  she  told  him  about  her 
squirrel  and  the  gull. 

"Why,  I  thought  they  were  the  shyest,  wildest 
things,  and  that  you  couldn't  touch  them  while  they 
were  alive.  And  he  really  stays  with  you  ?  "  in  amaze, 

"  He  can't  fly  very  far.  You  see,  his  wing  isn't 
quite  right,  though  he  can  raise  it,  but  it  doesn't  seem 
strong.  Still  he  flies  so  beautifully  a  short  distance 
it  is  a  pleasure  to  see  him.  Sometimes  I  make  believe 
he  is  an  albatross.  And  I  tell  him  about  the  *  Ancient 
Mariner.'  " 

"  Oh,  do  you  know  that  queer  old  thing !  And  do 
you  love  verses?  We're  reading  the  Iliad  at  school. 
It  isn't  verse  exactly,  but  it's  poetry  all  the  same. 
There  are  some  splendid  heroes  in  it." 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  135 

She  didn't  know  exactly  what  it  was,  but  she  liked 
reading  about  heroes  and  her  eyes  kindled. 

"  Do  you  think  I  might  come  to  visit  you  and  the 
gull  ?  Are  there  any  more  pets  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  a  splendid  big  dog ;  and  I  never  feel 
afraid  with  him.  And  the  loveliest  Mexican  pony. 
Then  the  birds  are  very  tame.  There  is  the  sauciest 
mocking  bird,  and  we  whistle  to  each  other.  He  will 
come  for  crumbs,  and  when  the  weather  is  very  dry 
we  put  out  a  pan  of  water  and  it  is  fun  to  see  thent 
bathe.  And  the  jays  chatter  and  scold  so." 

"  How  much  you  must  love  everything !  " 

"  Well — there  are  no  children  near  by.  Though 
now  I  go  to  school." 

"  And  you  came  from  Maine,  Aunt  Grace  said,  all 
the  way  round  the  Horn.  Do  you  know  they  are  talk- 
ing of  a  railroad  across  the  Continent  ?  Oh,  what  lots 
of  things  we  would  have  to  talk  about.  I'll  ask  father 
to  let  me  come  over  here  and  then  I'll  come  up  and  see 
you — some  Saturday." 

"  Oh,  I  shall  be  just  delighted."  The  little  face  was 
all  rosy  eagerness. 

"  You're  not  eating  anything.  Oh,  here  are  the 
mottoes.  Now,  we'll  have  some  fun." 

They  were  prizes  to  children  in  those  days.  A 
candy  in  a  pretty  colored  fringed  paper,  with  two  or 
four  printed  rhymes,  sometimes  very  funny,  at  others 
sentimental.  Victor  had  numbers  sent  to  him  by  differ- 
ent girls,  who  were  beginning  to  think  the  little  Maine 
damsel  was  getting  more  than  her  share  of  him. 

Olive  stood  ready  to  pounce  upon  him.  But  Miss 
Holmes  was  there  at  the  doorway. 


136    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"Uncle  Jason  has  come,"  she  said,  in  a  low 
tone.  "  Are  you  not  tired  and  almost  ready  to  go 
home?" 

Laverne  took  the  outstretched  hand. 

"  Remember,"  Victor  said,  "  I  shall  come  before 
long." 

"  Really,"  began  Olive  tauntingly,  "  you  seem  very 
fond  of  small  fry." 

"  Why — she  is  your  friend.  You  have  told  us  ever 
so  much  about  her.  And  she's  a  nice  little  thing." 

"  Oh,  a  mere  child !  A  flower  of  the  field  sort  of 
thing,"  rather  disdainfully. 

He  thought  her  very  ungracious  when  she  had  been 
quite  eloquent  over  Laverne  at  Oaklands. 

She  leaned  against  Miss  Holmes*  shoulder  and 
talked  of  the  dancing,  while  two  or  three  men  discussed 
the  prospect  of  a  road  across  the  continent.  The 
hardships  of  the  overland  journey  were  almost  in- 
credible. Congress  could  hardly  be  roused  on  the  sub- 
ject. Daniel  Webster,  broad  statesman  as  he  was, 
opposed  it  with  energy.  The  Great  American  Desert 
was  a  formidable  thing.  And  there  were  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  The  gold  fields  might  give  out — it  was 
not  an  agricultural  region — how  could  manufactures 
ever  be  established  so  remote  from  every  centre! 
Spain  and  Mexico  had  tried  their  hands.  There  was 
enough  to  do  nearer  home. 

The  little  girl  listened  with  a  curious  interest.  It 
was  a  wonderful  country  to  her.  Maine  had  nothing 
to  compare  with  it.  And  though  she  began  to  feel 
sleepy  now  that  she  was  quiet,  she  winked  her  eyes 
hard  so  as  not  to  lose  a  word. 


A  PARTY  AND  AN  ADMIRER  137 

"  We  must  go,"  Miss  Holmes  said  at  length ;  so  they 
rose  and  wished  their  host  good-night. 

What  a  glorious  night  it  was !  There  was  no  moon, 
but  the  wide  blue  vault  was  studded  so  thick  with 
stars,  great  golden,  twinkling  globes,  that  seemed  to 
keep  Christmas  as  truly  as  when  they  sang  to  the  shep- 
herds on  the  plains  of  Judea.  All  the  air  was  spicily 
fragrant,  for  there  was  just  enough  fog  over  on  the 
ocean  side  to  make  a  dew  and  distil  sweetness.  Some 
of  the  newly  whitewashed  houses  glistened  like  marble, 
and  the  brick  ones  threw  a  weird  kind  of  shade.  There 
were  clumps  of  trees,  and  the  little  girl  half  suspected 
Indians  or  wolves  lurking  behind  them. 

"  Did  you  have  a  nice  time,  little  one  ?  "  asked  her 
uncle,  in  a  fond  tone. 

The  cool,  fresh,  inspiriting  air  had  wakened  her. 

"  Oh,  it  was  splendid !  And  I  danced.  Don't  you 
think  I  might  go  to  dancing  school  ?  All  the  children 
do.  Olive's  cousin  was  so  nice  to  me,  and  he  wants 
to  come  and  see  the  gull.  And  he  has  a  pony,  too. 
He  is  going  to  ride  over  some  day.  He's  nicer  than 
Dick  Folsom;  that  is — he  is  polite  and  gentle,  and 
has  such  a  sweet  voice.  Oh,  I  liked  him  so  much. 
And  there  were  so  many  pretty  and  finely  dressed 
girls — maybe  it  was  because  I  didn't  have  any  brother 
or  cousin  that  he  was  so  good  to  me." 

Jason  Chadsey  gave  a  soft  little  sigh. 


CHAPTER  X 

ETHICS    AND    ETIQUETTE 

IT  was  midnight,  and  the  bells  rang  out  for  1854.  The 
streets  were  full  of  people.  Banjos  were  being 
strummed,  accordions  lent  their  music.  Singers  really 
made  bedlam,  but  above  all  you  heard  every  little 
while  the  refrain  from  a  chorus  of  voices : 

"  The  days  of  old,  the  days  of  gold, 
The  days  of  forty-nine." 

Was  San  Francisco  getting  old  in  its  scarcely  more 
than  childhood  ?  For  in  August  of  that  year,  John  W. 
Geary,  who  had  been  the  last  alcalde  of  the  town,  was 
elected  its  first  mayor,  and  the  city  had  her  charter  in 
due  American  form.  It  had  stretched  up  and  down 
the  bay,  the  wharves  were  crowded  with  ship- 
ping. Had  ever  any  other  city  such  a  marvellous 
story !" 

Yet  in  1854, tne  world  was  still  a  little  old-fashioned 
and  friendly.  Never  was  there  a  more  peerless  day. 
Over  the  hilltops  came  streams  of  brilliance  with  the 
rising  sun  that  drove  the  fog  before  it  into  the  ocean. 
The  lowlands  were  alive  with  the  slant  rays  that 
wavered  and  wandered  about  like  seas  of  gold. 
Flowers  seemed  to  have  sprung  up  in  the  night. 
Flags  were  flying.  The  streets  were  full  of  men  and 

138 


ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE  139 

boys;  one  would  have  thought  it  a  grand  procession. 
For  New  Year's  calls  were  then  the  great  fashion. 
The  day  was  given  over  to  the  renewals  of  friendships. 
Men  put  on  their  Sunday  best,  and  went  from 
house  to  house  with  joyous  greetings.  And  within 
doors  were  groups  of  women  to  welcome  them,  and 
rooms  presented  a  gala  aspect.  Lovers  found  an  op- 
portunity to  say  sweet  things,  friends  clasped  hands, 
business  was  laid  aside. 

No  doubt  there  were  orgies  here  and  there,  quar- 
rels over  cups,  and  fights,  but  even  among  the  lower 
ranks  there  was  a  great  deal  of  jollity. 

Then  everybody  went  back  to  business.  The  great 
Express  Building  was  opened,  having  been  more  than 
a  year  under  way,  and  a  big  banquet  given  in  the  even- 
ing. 

The  weather  underwent  a  sudden  change.  Ice  froze 
in  the  pools  about  the  streets.  Icicles  hung  from  the 
roofs  of  the  houses  and  children  thrashed  them  down, 
and  went  about  eating  them  like  sticks  of  candy.  There 
was  veritable  snow  on  some  of  the  hills,  and  those  at 
Contra  Costa  were  white  and  glittering  in  the  sun. 
The  old  Calif ornians,  who  were  fond  of  lazing  about  in 
the  sun,  and  smoking  a  pipe,  laid  it  to  those  Yankee 
devils  who  had  turned  everything  upside  down.  There 
would  be  no  more  good  times  in  "  Californy."  Even 
the  miners  came  in  and  grumbled.  The  rains  in  the 
fall  and  winter  had  been  slight,  then  a  sort  of  freshet 
had  swollen  the  rivers,  which  were  too  full  for  "  wet 
diggings,"  as  the  hill  sides  had  been  too  dry  for  "  dry 
diggings." 

It  seemed  as  if  a  series  of  misfortunes  happened. 


HO    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

The  fine  new  clipper  ship  San  Francisco  missed  her 
bearings  and  struck  on  the  rocks  on  the  north  side  of 
the  channel.  Some  lives  were  lost,  and  a  storm  coming 
up,  scattered  much  of  the  cargo.  Added  to  this  was  a 
very  general  depression  in  business,  but  in  all  new  cities 
there  are  lean  years  as  well  as  fat  ones. 

The  little  girl  had  said  nothing  more  about  dancing 
school,  although  there  was  a  very  nice  class  that  met 
twice  a  week  not  far  from  the  school.  She  and  Olive 
had  a  little  "  tiff,"  and  now  hardly  spoke.  She  would 
have  liked  to  consult  some  one,  but  Miss  Holmes  and 
Mrs.  Personette  were  now  very  cordial  friends,  and 
she  was  not  sure  that  she  had  been  exactly  right  her- 
self. She  could  not  quite  make  up  her  mind  to  be 
blamed.  She  had  said  to  Uncle  Jason  that  she  had 
changed  her  mind,  she  did  not  want  to  go  to  dancing 
school  just  yet. 

"  There's  plenty  of  time  for  that,"  he  responded 
cheerfully.  "  And  I  guess  dancing  comes  kind  of  nat- 
ural to  little  girls.  You  can  put  on  the  fancy  touches 
by  and  by." 

Then  he  gave  her  such  a  hug  that  she  knew  he  was 
pleased  with  her  decision,  though  down  in  the  depths 
of  her  heart  she  really  would  have  liked  it.  Some- 
times she  danced  around  out  of  doors,  going  through 
whatever  figures  she  could  recall. 

This  was  what  had  happened :  She  had  spoken  cor- 
dially to  Olive  the  first  morning  school  had  begun 
again,  and  Olive  had  given  her  head  a  toss,  and  mum- 
bled something.  Then  at  recess  she  had  joined  some 
of  the  larger  girls.  The  Personette  girls  went  home 
to  luncheon ;  Laverne  brought  hers.  There  were  several 


ETHICS  AND   ETIQUETTE  i4I 

smaller  children  that  she  liked  very  much,  and  they  had 
a  nice  play  together.  Olive  generally  claimed  her,  but 
for  several  days  she  took  very  little  notice  of  her.  She 
had  a  feeling  that  Laverne  would  feel  hurt  and  want 
to  know  the  reason.  But  the  latter  was  too  much 
afraid  of  a  rebuff  to  advert  to  it. 

"  I  suppose  you  think  it's  queer  that  I'm  acting  this 
way,"  Olive  began,  when  her  indifference  seemed  to 
pass  unnoticed.  "  But,  really,  you  were  so  forward  at 
my  party " 

"  Forward !  "  Laverne  gasped.  "  Why,  I — I  was  al- 
most frightened  at  first.  I  had  never  been  to  a  real 
party  before." 

"  Well,  you  made  yourself  very  conspicuous.  Esta 
Collins  thought  you  bold  enough." 

Laverne's  face  was  scarlet.  "  What  did  I  do?  "  she 
asked  in  a  tremulous  tone,  trying  to  keep  down  a  great 
throb  that  wanted  to  rise  in  her  throat. 

"  What  did  you  do,  Miss  Innocence  ?  Well,  I  de- 
clare !  You  didn't  dance  three  times  with  my  cousin, 
and  then  march  in  to  supper  with  him,  and  talk  and 
laugh  just  as  if  you  didn't  mean  to  let  him  look  at  an- 
other girl.  And  you  had  never  met  him  before!  It 
was  shameful ! " 

"  But— he  asked  me !  " 

The  tears  did  come  now.  She  tried  very  hard  to 
wink  them  away. 

"  Oh,  yes !  But  he  never  supposed  you  were  going 
to  hang  on  him  that  way.  And  there  were  girls  who 
had  known  him  long  before,  just  waiting  to  be  asked. 
You  see,  as  he  was  my  cousin,  he  was — well,  almost 
like  the  host,  and  should  have  gone  around.  You're  a 


I42     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

regular  flirt,  Laverne  Chadsey,  and  you  will  never  get 
asked  to  any  party  of  mine  again." 

"  You  didn't  ask  me  this  time,"  said  Laverne,  with 
spirit.  "  It  was  your  mother.  And  it  wasn't  alto- 
gether your  party." 

"  Well,  it  was  my  cousin." 

"  She  is  Isabel's  cousin  also." 

"  Well,  she  did  not  like  it,  either." 

Laverne  wanted  to  say  she  was  sorry.  No  one  had 
ever  quarrelled  with  her  before.  But  was  she  really  at 
fault  ?  There  came  a  sudden  flash  of  spirit. 

"  It  was  mean  in  your  cousin  to  ask  me  to  dance  so 
many  times  when  he  knew  it  wasn't  quite  proper.  He 
was  used  to  parties,  I  wasn't.  I  shall  never  want  to  go 
to  parties  again ;  I  just  hate  them." 

With  that  Laverne  turned  away,  holding  her  head 
very  high.  She  missed  in  one  lesson  that  afternoon, 
and  asked  Miss  Bain  if  she  might  not  stay  in  and  go 
over  it;  she  knew  it  then,  but  she  was  confused  by 
something  else.  Her  uncle  was  always  so  proud  of 
her  marks  that  she  did  not  want  to  disappoint  him, 

"  Why,  yes,"  returned  Miss  Bain  smilingly.  "  I 
wish  all  little  girls  were  as  careful." 

She  was  rather  grave  at  home  that  afternoon.  She 
told  Bruno  about  it  and  he  gave  her  a  world  of  sym- 
pathy out  of  large,  loving  eyes. 

Then  there  were  several  smaller  girls  that  she  found 
very  companionable.  One  of  them  discovered  a  way 
to  walk  together  for  some  distance  by  making  the  cir- 
cuit just  a  little  longer.  Her  mother  was  French  and 
had  been  born  in  New  Orleans.  There  were  five  chil- 
dren ;  she,  Lucie,  was  the  oldest.  Her  father  was  one  of 


ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE  143 

the  old  California  residents,  and  had  fought  in  the 
war.  Last  summer  they  had  gone  down  to  Santa  Cruz 
and  had  a  lovely  time.  She  had  only  one  little  sister, 
the  baby.  So  they  made  quite  a  friendship. 

After  the  cold  snap  it  seemed  as  if  spring  had  come 
in  earnest.  Everything  took  to  growing.  Miss 
Holmes  and  Laverne  had  delightful  rides  about  on 
Saturdays.  And  one  morning  the  child  watched  a  lad 
coming  up  the  somewhat  crooked  road.  He  waved  his 
hand — yes,  he  smiled,  too.  Why,  it  couldn't  be  Victor 
Savedra ! 

But  it  was,  though.  Laverne  hardly  knew  whether 
to  be  glad  or  sorry.  But  she  was  glad  down  in  the  bot- 
tom of  her  heart,  and  ran  a  few  steps  to  meet  him,  then 
paused  in  pure  bashfulness. 

"  Are  you  glad  to  see  me  ?  Don't  you  remember  that 
I  told  you  I  would  come  ?  I  was  at  uncle's  a  fortnight 
ago  and  meant  to  beg  Olive  to  come  up  with  me,  but 
behold !  "  and  he  laughed. 

It  was  such  a  gay,  infectious  sort  of  laugh,  and  he 
slid  down  from  his  pony  and  threw  the  rein  over  his 
neck,  then  took  both  of  her  hands,  while  she  colored 
scarlet,  and  her  eyes  had  merry  lights  in  them. 

"  I  dragged  it  all  out  of  Olive.  Did  you  have  much 
of  a  fuss  with  her?  Girls  are  so  queer!  It  was  be- 
cause I  danced  two  or  three  times  with  you.  Why,  I 
thought  you  were  such  a  dainty  little  thing.  I  liked 
you.  Some  of  the  girls  are  so — well,  so  sentimental — 
silly.  Olive  has  a  temper,  though.  And  now — are  you 
glad.  Father  knows  your  uncle  a  little.  And  he  said  I 
might  come  over;  father,  I  mean.  I  always  tell  him 
where  I  go  on  Saturdays." 


144    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Yes,  I  am  glad,"  Laverne  replied.  "  Oh,  we  were 
going  out  to  ride." 

"We?  Who?"  and  the  bright  young  face  fell  a 
little. 

"  Why,  Miss  Holmes — who  takes  care  of  us." 

"  Oh,  yes,  that's  all  right.  Girls  always  do  have 
some  one,  you  know.  And  I  remember  her.  She  is 
Aunt  Grace's  friend." 

"  Yes,  Pablo  is  bringing  the  horses."  She  led  the 
way  with  a  springing  step  and  smiled  without  knowing 
just  what  made  her  happy. 

"And  the  gull!  Father  thinks  it  really  odd,  that 
you  should  tame  him  and  he  should  want  to  stay." 

"  And  he  can  fly  quite  well.  Just  a  bit  of  the  wing 
droops  down.  Oh,  here  he  is !  We  had  such  a  time  to 
find  a  name  for  him.  And  once  Uncle  Jason  was  up 
the  coast  of  Norway  and  learned  about  the  gods,  and  I 
liked  the  story  of  Balder  so  much,  Balder  the  beautiful, 
and  then  I  called  him  that.  But  Uncle  Jason  calls  him 
Jim." 

"  Did  your  uncle  come  for  the  Golden  Fleece  ?  " 

"  I  think  they  find  it  here,  if  anywhere,"  she  re- 
turned, smiling.  "  Here,  Balder,"  and  she  held  out  her 
hand. 

He  was  not  exactly  graceful  in  his  walk.  But  he 
came  and  put  his  head  in  his  little  mistress's  hand. 

She  stroked  his  neck,  "  Pretty  Balder,"  she  said. 
"  Did  Pablo  get  you  some  fish?  " 

Balder  glanced  rather  suspiciously  at  the  newcomer. 
And  just  then  Miss  Holmes  came  down.  After  the 
first  glance  she  remembered  the  young  fellow,  who  ex- 
plained a  certain  amount  of  curiosity  had  drawn  him 


ETHICS  AND   ETIQUETTE  I45 

hither,  and  since  they  were  ready  for  a  ride  he  begged 
to  accompany  them. 

"  Oh,"  she  said,  "  why  didn't  you  bring  the  girls  and 
we  should  have  had  quite  a  party." 

"  I  am  afraid  if  I  had  gone  there  first  I  should  have 
missed  you,  they  would  have  had  so  many  plans.  And 
this  excursion  has  been  in  my  mind  some  time.  I 
wanted  to  see  these  remarkable  pets." 

"  Snippy  seems  quite  busy  in  these  days  providing 
for  his  family;  I  think,  too,  he  is  rather  jealous  of 
Jim." 

"  There  are  some  such  cunning  little  squirrels,  but 
Snippy  keeps  them  closely  at  home,  down  in  the  hol- 
low of  the  tree." 

"  If  you  would  like  to  walk  about  a  little — the  rains 
have  given  us  quite  a  picturesque  aspect,  and  the 
weather  has  brought  us  into  spring." 

"  Will  Miss  Laverne  be  my  guide  ?  " 

"That  sounds  just  like  school.  When  you  get  in 
the  highest  class,  where  your  cousin  Isabel  is,  you  are 
called  Miss — whatever  your  last  name  happens  to  be. 
I  don't  like  it  so  well." 

"  But  you  will  when  you  get  to  be  a  young 
lady." 

"  I  like  girls  the  best,"  she  said  simply. 

He  thought  they  would  be  quite  charming  if  they 
all  resembled  her. 

They  took  the  winding  path  up  to  the  spring,  if  it 
were  that;  Pablo,  under  Uncle  Jason's  direction,  had 
made  quite  a  basin  of  it.  Then  it  trickled  down  to  the 
next  level,  and  this  was  Balder's  pool.  It  was  arranged 
so  that  it  irrigated  quite  a  little  garden.  There  were 


i46    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

some  orange  trees,  but  they  had  been  nipped  by  the 
frosts. 

"  They  are  rather  bitter  and  sour  and  full  of  seeds," 
said  Laverne,  "  only  they  are  beautiful  with  their 
glossy  leaves,  and  the  blossoms  are  sweet.  Every- 
thing is  wonderful  here." 

"  It  truly  is."  He  was  glancing  about.  "  Father 
ought  to  see  this.  But  you  know  we  think  Oaklands 
the  garden  spot  of  all  as  you  go  on  down  the  Bay. 
It's  much  wilder  going  up,  and  here  it  doesn't  seem  a 
bit  promising,  but  you  have  made  it  so.  I  wonder  what 
about  it  charmed  your  uncle  ?  " 

She  remembered  the  old  home  in  Maine  was  rather 
rocky  and  wild.  She  rarely  thought  of  it  now. 

"  Here  is  where  Snippy  lives.  Though  there  are 
plenty  of  squirrels  about  and  rabbits  and  everything,  it 
seems  to  me.  Snippy,"  she  called,  "  Snippy." 

A  sharp  nose  and  two  bright  eyes  appeared  above 
the  hollow  and  dropped  down  at  once.  "  Snippy !  Oh ! 
you  needn't  be  afraid."  She  threw  some  bits  of  hard- 
tack down.  Then  there  was  a  sudden  gray  flash,  and 
he  was  out  on  the  ground,  caught  on  her  frock  and 
ran  up  to  her  shoulder.  He  looked  saucily  over  to 
Victor  Savedra  as  if  he  questioned  what  business  he 
had  there. 

The  boy  laughed.  "  We  have  some  fine  birds,  and 
beautiful  tame  deer.  I  suppose  I  could  tame  a  squirrel. 
But  the  funny  thing  is  that  he  should  have  decided  to 
move  up  here." 

"  We  brought  him  first,  you  know.  I  didn't  think 
about  his  having  any  folks  then.  And  there  is  getting 
to  be  quite  a  colony  of  them.  Uncle  Jason  will  not 


ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE  147 

have  them  shot.  Though  Pablo  shot  a  wildcat  not 
long  ago.  And  the  birds  do  not  seem  afraid  any 
more.  I  know  where  there  are  several  quails'  nests." 

"  I  expect  you  understand  bird  language." 

They  turned  to  go  down.  Pablo  had  given  Victor's 
pony  a  drink.  Miss  Holmes  stood  patting  her  horse's 
neck. 

"  I've  done  up  a  little  lunch,"  she  announced.  "  Are 
you  quite  sure  you  have  time  to  devote  to  our  pic- 
nic?" 

"  Oh,  yes !  I  have  a  whole  day  to  spend.  And  I  am 
delighted  that  you  permit  me  to  accompany  you.  I 
hope  you  will  come  to  Oaklands  and  allow  me  to  be 
the  host." 

They  went  down  on  the  westerly  path.  Part  of  the 
way  it  was  a  rather  rough  road,  and  they  had  the  ocean 
at  their  side.  Here  was  a  kind  of  depression  in  the 
rocky  barricade,  and  down  by  the  shore  a  herd  of  deer 
were  sniffing  the  ocean  breezes.  How  pretty  and  grace- 
ful they  looked,  startled,  too,  as  the  wind  wafted  the 
sound  of  voices  to  them.  Then  they  suddenly  vanished 
as  if  the  ocean  had  swallowed  them  up,  and  the  three 
looked  at  each  other  with  surprised  and  laughing 
eyes. 

Miss  Holmes  found  young  Savedra  a  very  enter- 
taining companion.  He  expected  presently  to  go  to 
England  for  his  education.  There  was  a  rather  deli- 
cate girl  next  in  age  to  him,  who  had  not  been  strong 
enough  to  come  over  to  the  Christmas  party.  Then  a 
rollicking  hoyden,  and  last  of  all  a  second  son.  It  was 
evident  he  cared  a  great  deal  for  his  mother.  His 
sister  had  one  of  the  nervous  musical  temperaments, 


i48    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  was  fond  of  solitude.  The  Personette  girls  were 
very  different,  more  like  their  father. 

He  was  really  entertaining-  for  so  young  a  person. 
He  knew  many  of  the  older  stories  of  the  country, 
the  Missions,  the  Indians,  and  the  lower-class  Mexi- 
cans. They  turned  into  quite  a  new  road  for  them, 
that  seemed  hidden  away  by  an  edge  of  woods,  and 
presently  came  to  a  charming  spot  where  he  tethered 
the  horses,  and  they  ate  their  lunch.  Little  did  they 
dream  that  one  day  even  this  solitude  would  be  invaded 
by  the  resistless  hand  of  improvement.  Shy,  wild 
things  were  running  about,  birds  sang  in  every  sort  of 
key.  Gulls  swooped  down  for  fish,  a  great  cormorant 
went  sailing  slowly  along,  and  seals  frolicked  almost 
like  children. 

"  I  suppose  we  could  go  across  here  and  come  up  to 
the  eastward,"  Miss  Holmes  said.  "  This  has  been  de- 
lightful. We  keep  to  the  beaten  paths  when  we  are 
alone,  but  on  Sunday,  with  Mr.  Chadsey,  we  make 
farther  ventures.  We  must  bring  him  here,  Laverne,  if 
we  can  remember  the  way." 

"  I'll  make  a  diagram  for  you,"  he  laughed.  "  I 
might  have  '  blazed  a  trail,' — isn't  that  what  you  Yan- 
kees call  it?  But  there  are  so  many  beautiful  roads. 
And  farther  down  everything  is  lovelier  still.  I  sup- 
pose the  eastern  world  is  quite  different,  with  its  long, 
cold  winters." 

"  But  to  the  southward  we  have  pleasant  lands, 
where  there  is  not  much  winter,  and  where  vegetation 
is  almost  as  wonderful  as  here,  where  roses  bloom  and 
tropical  fruit  ripens.  Oh,  the  Atlantic  has  many  fine 
points  and  great  cities." 


ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE  149 

"I  should  like  to  see  them.  I  hope  some  day  to 
travel  round  the  whole  world.  Miss  Laverne,  don't 
you  want  to  go  to  India  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,"  and  she  made  a  little  gesture  of 
aversion.  "  Uncle  Jason  has  been  to  many  of  the  sea- 
port towns.  And  he  did  not  like  the  natives  over  well. 
He  thinks  them  indolent  and  cruel  and  all  that.  And 
there  are  tigers  and  poisonous  snakes — no,  I  do  not 
think  I  want  to  go." 

"  I  should  like  to  talk  with  your  uncle.  You  know 
we  larger  boys  are  studying  up  curious  vestiges  of  the 
old  civilizations  and  races.  There  were  people  here 
before  the  Indians,  and  it  is  supposed  they  came  across 
Behring  Strait  from  Asia." 

She  opened  her  eyes  wide. 

"  Why,  I  thought  the  Indians  were  the  first  race." 

"  They  must  have  driven  out  some  other  people,  or 
driven  them  down  to  Mexico,  perhaps.  But  I  suppose 
girls  don't  need  to  know  all  this ; "  and  he  laughed. 
"  Oh,  look  at  this  picture  before  we  go." 

The  curve  of  the  path  down  toward  the  rocky  shore 
made  a  striking  perspective.  There  was  no  wind,  but 
the  far-off  waves  had  a  golden  crest  that  came  nearer 
and  nearer,  as  if  bearing  the  treasures  of  the  Orient ; 
the  air  was  full  of  spice  and  sweetness;  wild  grape, 
fern,  cedar,  and  pine,  fluttering  butterflies,  almost  like 
small  birds,  made  swift  dazzles,  or  seemed  to  hang 
poised  in  the  still  air  as  if  considering  which  way  to 
take.  The  sea  was  marvellously  blue,  so  was  the  sky 
overhead,  but  round  the  edges  where  it  touched  the  sea 
there  was  a  soft  gray  mistiness,  here  whitening,  there 
taking  on  an  azure  tint. 


150    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

He  was  mysteriously  touched  by  beauty,  though  he 
was  a  whole-hearted  boy,  and  occasionally  dipped  into 
fun  of  the  unorthodox  sort.  Who  could  help  it  in  such 
a  wild  country  ? 

Miss  Holmes  nodded,  she,  too,  was  deeply  moved. 
They  turned  about,  the  road  was  narrow  and  carpeted, 
one  might  say,  with  countless  wild  roses,  flaming  lilies, 
others  as  yellow  as  the  palest  sulphur  color;  little  juni- 
per trees,  with  their  pale  green  shoots  that  had  never 
yet  seen  sunshine ;  blackberry  vines,  that  were  in  bloom 
at  least  six  months  of  the  year,  with  their  starry 
crowns,  and  berries  of  all  ripening  colors.  The  horses 
kicked  them  aside,  they  were  meet  food  for  the  birds. 

They  came  farther  inland  through  tall  woods,  great 
stretches  of  wild  oats  and  barley,  meadows  that  would 
presently  be  brown  with  burnt  roots  of  vanished  things. 
Here  and  there  an  adobe  house,  small  children  playing 
about  in  cotton  shirts,  and  shouting  with  the  same 
riotous  glee  that  informed  the  bird's  song. 

Pelajo  gave  a  whinny  as  they  came  in  sight  of  the 
house  that  looked  as  if  set  among  the  rocks.  Bruno 
rushed  out.  Balder  gave  a  cry  of  welcome.  They  had 
all  missed  the  little  girl,  who  talked  to  them  in  a  lan- 
guage they  understood  and  loved. 

"  I  hardly  know  how  to  thank  you  for  such  a  delight- 
ful day,"  Victor  Savedra  said,  in  his  refined  manner 
that  was  hearty  as  well.  "  I  had  not  thought  of  so 
much  pleasure  when  I  came.  And  I  do  hope  to  return 
it.  You  see,  I  haven't  felt  quite  like  a  stranger,  Aunt 
Grace  has  talked  of  you  so  often.  We  all  like  her  so 
much.  And  at  first  we  felt  quite  startled  at  the  thought 
of  uncle  marrying  a  Yankee  woman,"  and  he  smiled, 


ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE  151 

with  a  sort  of  gay  retrospection.  "  Yet,  she  had  been 
so  good  to  the  aunt  that  died.  But  it  is  largely  in  the 
cultivation,  don't  you  think  ?  Many  of  those  first  East- 
ern people  were  of  good  birth,  and  they  were  fine 
pioneers,  we  can't  deny  that.  And  we  shall  plan  for 
you  to  come  over  on  some  Saturday  with  her  and  the 
girls,  for  I  want  you  to  see  mother." 

Miss  Holmes  thanked  him  cordially,  and  the  little 
girl  said  the  same  thing  with  her  eyes  and  her 
smile. 

Yet,  after  she  had  made  the  round  of  her  pets,  had  a 
splendid  drink  of  water,  and  seen  Pelajo  munching  his 
wisps  of  alfalfa — Pablo  would  not  give  him  too  much 
at  a  time — she  came  in  and  sat  down  in  her  favorite  low 
chair,  while  Miss  Holmes  was  making  some  supper 
preparations,  beating-up  an  old-fashioned  cake  of  which 
Uncle  Jason  was  very  fond,  and  that  suggested  to  him 
the  weekly  bakings  in  the  old  ovens  back  in  Maine. 

The  little  girl  was  quiet  so  long  that  Miss  Holmes 
said  presently :  "  Are  you  very  tired?  " 

"  Oh,  no ;  I  was  thinking,"  and  for  an  instant  the 
rosy  lips  were  compressed.  "  Is  it — do  you  think  it 
wrong  to  have  secrets  ?  " 

Miss  Holmes  was  alarmed  and  studied  her  anxiously. 

"  It  depends  on  what  they  are,  and  with  whom,"  she 
answered  gravely. 

"  Long  ago,  when  we  first  knew  her,  Olive  Per- 
sonette  said  girls  always  had  secrets.  They  were 
mostly  about  other  girls.  And  I  only  knew  the  Este- 
negas,  and  there  wasn't  anything  about  them  except  the 
queer  old  house  and  Carmen  going  to  a  convent.  She 
didn't  care  about  that.  Then  there  was  the  party." 


152    A  LITTLE   GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Yes,'*  encouragingly. 

"  Olive  was  very  angry  because — because  her  cousin 
was  so  nice  to  me." 

Then  the  whole  story  came  out,  how  Olive  had 
scarcely  taken  any  notice  of  her,  and  had  her  seat 
changed  and  played  with  the  larger  girls.  But,  after 
awhile,  it  had  blown  over,  and  now  they  were  good 
friends  again. 

Miss  Holmes  had  remarked  an  estrangement,  but  she 
was  not  in  love  with  Olive  herself,  and  had  made  no 
comment. 

"  I  didn't  want  to  tell  Uncle  Jason " 

"Oh,  no,  no,"  interrupted  Miss  Holmes  quickly. 

"  And — I  should  have  liked  to  know  whether  it  was 
quite  right  to  dance  so  much  with  Victor,  but  you  see 
it  was  all  done,  and — and " 

"  On  the  whole,  you  were  a  very  discreet  little  girl. 
You  did  not  know,  of  course.  Olive  should  have  been 
more  attentive  to  her  guests.  That  wasn't  a  very 
harmful  secret,  but  I  think  your  uncle  would  have  been 
quite  vexed  with  Olive." 

"  I  was  afraid  he  would,"  she  returned  gravely. 

"  It  is  better  to  keep  a  secret  than  to  stir  up  strife," 
Miss  Holmes  remarked. 

"  But  now  there's  another  secret,"  and  a  look  of  dis- 
tress clouded  the  fair  face.  "  It's  been  such  a  lovely 
day.  I  didn't  ever  suppose  he  would  come  without  the 
girls,  but  he  has,  and  they  do  not  know.  Olive  will  be 
angry,  I  am  afraid." 

Miss  Holmes  smiled  inwardly,  so  as  not  to  pain 
Laverne.  Even  these  little  girls  began  to  have  trou- 
bles and  jealousies  about  the  boys.  She  had  been  in 


ETHICS  AND  ETIQUETTE  153 

it  herself  during  childhood,  she  had  seen  a  great  deal  of 
it  later  on.  And  childhood  should  be  such  a  sweet  and 
simple  thing — a  season  of  pure  enjoyment. 

"  I  think  you  had  better  say  nothing  about  to- 
day. I'll  explain  the  matter  sometime  to  Mrs.  Per- 
sonette." 

"  Oh,  that  will  be  splendid !  It  was  just  a  glorious 
time,  wasn't  it?  And  I  should  be  sorry  to  have  it 
spoiled." 

Her  face  was  joyous  again  with  relief. 

"  But  I  can  tell  Uncle  Jason?  " 

"  Oh,  yes." 

She  would  have  felt  much  relieved  if  she  had  known 
that  the  young  fellow  went  straight  to  the  Personettes 
and  found  his  aunt  home  alone.  The  girls  were  out 
driving  with  some  friends. 

"  Aunt  Grace,"  he  said  frankly,  after  the  first  cour- 
tesies had  passed,  "  I've  be  *n  up  there  on  the  hill  where 
the  Chadseys  live,  getting  acquainted  with  the  pets ;  and 
what  an  odd,  pretty  place  it  is.  I  like  Miss  Holmes  very 
much.  I  wish  Isola  had  just  such  a  friend  instead  of 
that  half-French  governess.  And  Miss  Laverne  is  a 
very  charming  little  child,  isn't  she?  Can't  you  bring 
them  over  some  Saturday  and  I'll  do  my  best  to  enter- 
tain you.  I've  told  mother  a  good  deal  about  them — 
well,  so  have  you;"  and  he  laughed  with  boyish 
gayety. 

"  Yes,  I've  been  thinking  of  it.  And  now  everything 
is  at  its  best.  I'll  be  over  in  a  day  or  two  and  we  will 
settle  upon  the  time.  I  should  like  your  mother  to 
know  Miss  Holmes.  And,  oh,  what  a  treat  it  will  be 
for  that  little  Laverne.  She  might  almost  as  well  be 


154    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

in  a  convent,  but  she  is  happy  and  bright  as  a  lark. 
She's  a  really  charming  child,  but  it  would  be  a  pity  to 
make  an  early  1800  girl  out  of  her  when  we  are  passed 
the  middle  of  the  century." 
They  both  laughed  at  the  idea. 


CHAPTER  XI 

IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH 

THERE  was  a  great  talk  about  hard  times.  Some  dis- 
couraged people  returned  east,  convinced  there  was 
just  as  good  a  chance  for  prosperity  there.  But  the 
city  went  on  laying  out  streets,  paving  some,  erecting 
large  business  buildings,  discarding  old  oil  lamps,  for 
now  gas  was  introduced.  And  in  April,  a  branch  Mint 
was  opened  by  the  Government  on  Commercial  Street, 
which  had  been  a  great  necessity,  though  there  had  been 
allowed  a  private  coining  establishment.  The  payment 
of  many  transactions  had  been  in  gold  dust  or  nuggets. 
There  was  also  an  earnest  endeavor  to  awake  interest 
in  a  through  railroad  service.  The  overland  route  was 
hazardous,  painful,  and  expensive,  that  round  the  Horn 
tedious,  and  across  the  isthmus  difficult. 

There  were  also  several  filibustering  expeditions  that 
came  to  grief,  and  some  quite  noted  citizens  were  tried 
and  punished.  Riots,  too,  were  of  frequent  occurrence, 
but,  on  the  whole,  a  spirit  of  improvement  was  visible 
everywhere.  The  long-neglected  Plaza  was  regraded, 
a  fence  placed  around  it,  a  flagstaff  raised,  and  it  be- 
came quite  a  favorite  resort,  the  drive  around  it  being 
thronged  by  carriages  on  pleasant  afternoons. 

The  Vigilance  Committee  had  done  good  work  and 
rendered  the  city  much  safer.  Manufactures  were 

i55 


156    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

started.  True,  coal  had  to  be  brought  from  some 
distance,  and  there  was  a  great  need  of  really  skilled 
labor. 

The  little  party  that  had  taken  the  "  Hazard  of  new 
fortunes  "  were  prospering.  Now  and  then  Dick  Fol- 
som  had  been  seized  with  a  mining  fever  that  had  re- 
quired all  the  ingenious  arguments  of  his  mother  to 
combat.  Then,  seeing  an  opportunity,  and  having  good 
backers  in  the  Dawsons,  she  had  opened  a  sort  of 
Home  Hotel  that  at  once  became  a  great  favorite  on 
account  of  its  excellent  bread  and  rolls,  and  now  Dick 
had  business  enough  on  his  hands,  though  it  did  not 
quench  his  longing  for  a  more  adventurous  life. 

Miss  Gaines,  too,  had  extended  her  borders.  She 
had  taken  a  place  on  an  attractive  street  and  opened  a 
real  business  of  dressmaking  and  millinery,  and  was 
largely  patronized,  Boston  being  considered  really 
higher  style  than  New  York.  Jacintha  Vanegas  had 
married,  and  Miss  Gaines  had  persuaded  the  mother  to 
sell  her  old  house  as  the  lot  was  needed  for  an  im- 
portant improvement.  So  Senora  Vanegas  came  to 
keep  house  for  her,  and  Felicia  to  be  her  right-hand 
woman. 

"  It's  worlds  better  than  teaching  school/'  she  ex- 
plained to  Miss  Holmes.  "  When  you  once  rise  to  a 
positive  dictum  in  style,  people  give  in  to  you  and  pay 
you  any  price.  I'm  not  going  to  spend  all  my  time  on 
furbelows.  After  a  few  years  I  shall  retire  and  take 
some  journeys  about  the  world.  One  of  my  cousins 
is  anxious  to  come  out  and  I  shall  send  for  her.  As  for 
marrying — I  certainly  shall  not  take  a  man  to  hang  on 
to  me,  as  one  might  easily  every  month  in  the  year." 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  157 

The  hard  times  had  touched  Jason  Chadsey  rather 
severely,  but  he  held  up  his  head  bravely.  For  he  saw 
that  San  Francisco  must  be  the  brain  of  the  outlying 
country.  The  treaty  with  Japan  would  open  up  new 
ventures.  There  was  to  be  a  line  of  mail  steamers 
from  San  Francisco  to  Shanghai.  And  all  up  and 
down  the  coast  from  Puget  Sound  to  the  Isthmus  ves- 
sels were  plying,  bringing  the  treasures  of  other  lands. 

The  visit  to  Oaklands  had  been  beautifully  arranged. 
Mrs.  Savedra  had  sent  a  written  invitation  to  her  sister- 
in-law,  enclosing  a  note  to  Miss  Holmes.  They  were 
to  come  early  in  the  morning,  at  least  the  big  carriage 
would  meet  the  boat  at  ten.  It  was  across  the  bay,  to 
be  sure,  but  only  like  a  ferry. 

Olive  took  upon  herself  the  real  significance  of  the 
visit.  They  were  her  relatives,  not  even  her  step- 
mother's. Her  aunt  was  quite  French  still  and  talked 
with  a  pretty  accent,  and  was  really  very  charming, 
though  she  did  not  go  much  into  society. 

"Of  course,  you've  seen  Victor — you  can't  help 
liking  him,  you  know.  Isola  is  only  a  year  younger, 
but  she's  a  queer,  fretful  sort  of  girl,  who  always  has  a 
headache  if  she  doesn't  want  to  do  the  things  you 
choose.  Elena  is  a  little  witch,  good  and  bad,  sweet 
and  sour  all  in  a  minute.,  Then  some  children  died, 
and  Andrea  is  a  sweet,  big,  spoiled  baby." 

Laverne  laughed. 

"  If  Isola  was  like  most  girls  we  could  have  lots  of 
fun.  I  hate  half-sick  people,  don't  you  ?  I  want  them 
to  be  ill  enough  to  stay  in  bed,  or  else  able  to  have  some 
fun.  She  plays  beautifully  on  the  organ,  though,  and 
the  piano." 


158    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Oh,  I  do  love  music/'  declared  Laverne.  "  I  could 
listen  forever." 

"  Then  you  and  she  will  get  along.  Victor  will  en- 
tertain Isabel,  of  course.  You  can't  have  him  all  the 
time,"  with  a  touch  of  malice. 

Laverne  turned  scarlet. 

Up  and  down  the  bay  seemed  alive  with  vessels  of 
every  kind  and  degree,  and  some  sailboats  keeping 
out  of  the  way  of  the  larger  craft. 

Victor  had  the  big  family  carriage  with  its  three 
seats. 

"  I'm  going  to  sit  with  the  driver,"  announced  Olive. 

Victor  assisted  the  ladies  in,  expressing  his  pleasure 
that  it  was  a  fine  day  and  that  they  could  all  come. 
The  two  handsome  horses  flung  up  their  heads  and 
pawed  the  ground  a  little.  They  went  somewhat  south- 
easterly, passed  the  streets  that  already  had  quite  a 
city  aspect,  and  then  turned  into  a  road  bordered  with 
magnificent  trees  and  almost  paved  with  great  violets 
of  all  colors,  and  farther  back  a  wild  profusion  of 
bloom.  Geraniums  like  small  trees,  brilliant  in  scarlet, 
rose,  and  pink.  Magnificent  palms,  shining  olive  trees, 
and  oranges  that  had  been  cultivated  to  perfection. 
Laverne  drew  long  breaths  of  the  perfumed  air. 

All  at  the  southern  side  was  an  immense  garden. 
At  the  north  it  was  protected  by  a  great  belt  of  woods. 
How  different  from  their  rocky  mound,  but  she  recalled 
the  fact  that  Victor  had  found  some  points  to  admire. 

The  mansion  was  broad  and  low,  the  centre  reaching 
up  two  stories  with  a  sharp  peak,  the  wings  but  one 
story.  A  porch  ran  the  whole  length  of  it,  shaded  by 
heliotrope  trained  as  a  vine  and  full  of  purple  bloom, 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  159 

and  passion  flowers  in  lavender,  purplish  red  and  white, 
with  touches  of  grayish  purple.  These  climbed  over 
lattices,  leaving  spaces  between  that  looked  like  French 
windows  reaching  to  the  ground.  It  was  really  a  suc- 
cession of  rooms.  Easy  chairs,  lounging  chairs  (one 
on  wheels  for  Isola  when  she  felt  indisposed  for  walk- 
ing), small  tables  with  books  and  papers,  or  a  work- 
basket,  and  down  one  end  a  large  one  with  various 
dishes  of  fruit. 

Mrs.  Savedra  welcomed  them  in  a  most  cordial  man- 
ner. She  was  hardly  medium  height;  indeed,  she 
looked  short  beside  these  taller  women.  Her  black 
hair  was  a  bed  of  ripples  with  curling  ends,  her  eyes  a 
soft  dusky  black,  and  her  complexion  a  rather  pale  sort 
of  olive  with  a  dash  of  color  in  the  cheeks. 

Victor  could  hardly  be  said  to  resemble  her,  and  yet 
he  had  taken  some  of  her  best  points. 

Isola  stood  beside  her  mother,  almost  as  tall,  but  slim 
as  a  willow  wand,  and  sallow  as  to  complexion,  with  a 
deep  shade  under  the  eyes.  Her  hair  was  a  duller  tint, 
and  her  eyes  a  gleam  that  in  some  lights  would  have  a 
suggestion  of  yellow. 

There  were  also  two  young  gentlemen — one  a  visitor 
who  had  come  with  his  father  on  some  business,  the 
other  a  schoolmate  of  Victor's  that  the  Personette  girls 
had  met  before,  Vance  Lensam.  Louis  Alvarado  was 
older  than  either  of  them,  a  handsome  young  fellow, 
with  blue  black  hair  and  eyes  that  seemed  to  look 
through  one. 

Victor  had  asked  his  friend  Vance,  so  that,  he  said 
laughingly,  his  cousins  would  not  pull  him  to 
pieces. 


160    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  And  this  is  the  little  girl  we  have  heard  about,  who 
took  the  long,  long  journey  around  Cape  Horn,"  Mrs. 
Savedra  said,  holding  her  small  fair  hand  and  glancing 
smilingly  into  the  deep  blue  eyes.  "  I  took  one  jour- 
ney from  New  Orleans  with  my  husband,  and  it  seemed 
endless,  though  we  had  many  pleasures  by  the  way  and 
some  dangers.  Once  we  lost  our  way  and  had  to  sleep 
in  the  woods,  and  we  heard  the  wolves  howl." 

"  There  were  no  wolves  on  shipboard  and  we 
couldn't  get  lost,"  returned  the  child,  in  a  soft  tone. 

"  Oh,  you  might  have  been  blown  out  of  your  course 
by  a  storm,"  commented  Victor. 

"  I  think  we  were  once  or  twice.  But  they  all  said 
it  was  an  exceptional  passage,"  returned  his  aunt. 

Then  they  were  seated  on  the  porch  while  the  maids 
took  their  hats  and  mantles,  for  one  never  quite  knew 
when  a  strong  west  wind  would  come  up.  And  for  a 
few  moments  there  was  a  confusion  of  pleasant  voices. 
The  servant  brought  a  great  stone  pitcher  of  delightful 
fruit  beverage  and  filled  the  glasses.  It  was  ice-cold 
and  most  grateful.  There  were  some  queer  crispy 
cakes  with  scalloped  edges  that  were  very  nice,  Laverne 
thought. 

The  elders  began  to  talk  on  the  subjects  of  the  day. 
There  was  never  any  lack  of  news  in  the  various 
papers,  though  there  were  few  telegraph  connections 
and  no  cables  to  flash  around  the  world.  Vance  Len- 
sam  came  round  to  Isabel's  side.  He  had  been  to  the 
theatre  a  few  nights  before  and  seen  a  remarkable 
young  actress,  Miss  Heron,  in  the  play  of  "  Fazio,"  and 
it  was  superb. 

"  I  want  so  to  go  to  the  theatre,"  declared  Isabel. 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  161 

"  Father  will  not  allow  us,  he  declares  it  is  no  place  for 
young  people." 

"  Anybody  might  see  this  play,  I  think.  And  the 
audiences  have  grown  more  respectful  and  respectable. 
We  are  getting  to  be  quite  a  staid  and  orderly  city," 
and  he  laughed  with  a  little  irony. 

"  And  just  as  soon  as  a  girl  is  married  she  can  go 
anywhere,"  Isabel  declared. 

"  With  her  husband— yes." 

"  And  I  want  to  go  to  a  real  ball.  I  have  outgrown 
children's  parties.  Oh,  there  are  to  be  some  splendid 
picnics  when  school  closes.  I  hope  we  can  go.  Mother 
has  so  many  engagements  all  the  time.  We  ought  to 
have  a  summer  governess." 

"  That  would  be  a  good  idea.  One  as  manageable  as 
the  Sefiorita's,"  and  he  half  nodded  in  Isola's  direction. 

"  But  she  never  wants  to  do  any  thing .  worth  while. 
Oh,  dear,  it  isn't  a  nice  thing  never  to  be  real  well." 

"  No,  I  wouldn't  like  it." 

"  Do  you  know  that  Mr.  Alvarado  ?  " 

"  I  only  met  him  yesterday.  They  are  Spanish 
Cubans,  I  believe." 

"  Come  down  and  talk  to  him.  Oh,  I  do  get  on  so 
slowly  with  French  and  Spanish.  Mother  wishes  she 
could  send  me  to  a  good  Eastern  school,  where  they 
make  girls  study." 

"You  wouldn't  like  it?"  enquiringly. 

"  Do  they  lock  them  up  and  keep  them  on  bread  and 
water,  or  beat  them?  I'd  like  to  see  the  teacher  who 
could  make  me  study." 

"  Are  you  so  very  obstreperous  ?  "  he  laughed. 

"  I  don't  see  the  use  of  so  much  of  it.    You  marry, 


162    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  that's  the  end  of  learning.  But  I  wish  I  was  a 
good  French  scholar.  I  was  quite  ashamed  the  other 
night.  Father  had  a  French  visitor  come  in  about 
something,  and  he  didn't  understand  English  very  well, 
so  he  asked  me  to  translate,  and  I  couldn't." 

"  Moral !  "  Vance  said  sententiously. 

They  had  been  moving  slowly  down  to  the  young 
man,  who  now  gave  them  a  nod  of  welcome,  and  began 
to  air  his  rather  lame  English. 

The  nurse  brought  out  the  baby,  a  charming  child  of 
four,  and  Laverne's  face  lighted  up  with  joy. 

"  You  are  fond  of  babies,"  said  the  mother,  in  a  glad 
tone. 

"  Oh,  yes,  and  there  are  so  few  of  them,  except  the 
dirty  street  children." 

"Where  is  Lena?"  asked  Olive. 

"  One  can  never  tell  for  five  minutes  where  she  is," 
said  the  mother. 

"  I'm  going  to  hunt  her  up ;  she's  such  fun." 

But  Olive  went  no  further  than  the  group  shaded 
by  the  passion  vine,  and  the  four  were  in  the  midst  of 
something  amusing,  to  judge  by  their  merry  laughs. 

"  Why,  I  didn't  know  Alvarado  could  be  so  gay," 
declared  Victor.  "  He  doesn't  talk  very  well,  and  last 
night  I  hardly  knew  how  to  entertain  him.  His  father 
is  to  send  him  North  to  one  of  the  cities  in  the 
autumn.  We  need  some  of  this  work  here,  high 
schools  and  colleges." 

"  That  will  come.  Think  how  young  you  are.  I 
am  amazed  at  the  progress,"  declared  Mrs.  Personette. 

"  I  suppose  San  Francisco  is  an  old,  young  city. 
The  Americanos  have  really  overpowered  us.  But, 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  163 

Aunt  Grace,  did  you  ever  stand  in  the  street  a  few 
moments  and  listen  to  the  jargon?  You  can  imagine 
what  the  Tower  of  Babel  must  have  been.  I  think  we 
have  gathered  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  within  our 
borders.  And  the  Chinese  are  the  oddest.  Oh, 
mother,  I  am  glad  you  were  not  a  Chinese  woman." 

"  I  think  your  father  would  not  have  been  allowed  to 
marry  me,"  she  said  smilingly.  "  And  I  did  not  know 
a  word  of  English  then.  I  had  been  in  a  convent.  We 
thought  it  a  barbarous  tongue." 

"  It's  going  to  conquer  the  world  some  day." 

"  Will  everybody  speak  English,  do  you  think  ?  "  and 
Laverne  glanced  up.  The  baby's  arms  were  tight 
about  her  neck. 

"  Oh,  baby !  "  cried  the  mother.  "  Nurse,  you  had 
better  take  him." 

It  was  funny  to  hear  the  baby  scold  in  French. 

"  Victor,  you  might  take  the  little  girl — Laverne,  is 
it  not?  and  show  her  the  garden.  I  heard  about  your 
pets.  You  must  have  a  charm." 

Laverne  smiled.  They  walked  down  the  porch  and 
Victor  paused  a  moment  to  invite  his  friends  to  join 
them.  They  did  not  at  once,  but  the  two  kept  on. 
They  turned  down  a  wide  alley,  under  some  orange 
trees.  The  late  blossoms  had  fruited,  the  early  ones 
been  killed  by  the  unusual  frost  of  the  winter. 

"  Oh,  it  is  so  beautiful,  so  very  beautiful ! "  she 
exclaimed,  with  almost  the  poignancy  of  joy.  "  I  never 
supposed  there  was  all  this  beauty  such  a  little  distance 
from  us.  Why  didn't  they  come  over  here  and  build 
the  city?" 

"  You  will  not  ask  that  twenty  years  from  this  time. 


164    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

San  Francisco  will  be  one  of  the  great  cities  of  the 
world,  the  gateway  of  the  Western  coast,  the  link  of 
everything  splendid!  Think  of  the  Golden  Gate,  of 
the  magnificent  bay,  where  no  enemy  could  touch  a 
ship.  And  that  rocky  coast,  a  defence  in  itself." 

"  Twenty  years,"  she  repeated  musingly.  "  Why,  I 
shall  be  quite  an  old  woman,"  and  a  look  almost  of 
terror  flashed  up  in  her  face. 

He  laughed  at  her  dismay.  "  I  am  not  quite  seven- 
teen. Then  I  shall  be  thirty-seven,  and  I  hope  to  have 
a  home  and  be  just  as  happy  as  my  father  is,  and  shall 
endeavor  to  be  just  as  prosperous.  But  I  wouldn't 
want  you  to  call  me  an  old  man." 

She  flushed  under  his  eager  eyes. 

"  Everything  grows  finer  here  than  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. Even  at  the  Estenegas  it  was  not  luxuriant  like 
this." 

"  For  fifteen  years  father  has  had  it  cultitvated. 
There  are  two  gardeners  working  all  the  time.  He 
is  so  fond  of  beautiful  things — trees,  and  flowers,  and 
birds.  No  one  is  allowed  to  molest  them.  Oh,  listen !  " 

They  both  stood  still.  She  clasped  her  hands,  and 
her  eyes  were  lucent  with  mistiness. 

"Oh,"  she  cried,  "it  is  like  this: 

"  '  How  they  seemed  to  fill  the  sea  and  air, 
With  their  sweet  jargoning.'" 

Certainly  they  were  a  gay  and  happy  lot,  singing  for 
the  very  love  of  melody,  it  seemed.  Then  they  passed 
masses  of  flowers,  beautiful  groups  of  trees  again, 
wound  around  unexpected  corners. 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  165 

"  I  wonder  you  found  anything  to  praise  up  there  on 
the  hill,"  she  said  in  a  low,  rather  disheartened  tone. 

"  Oh,  I  came  to  see  you,  and  the  gull,  and  Snippy, 
and  to  have  the  nice  ride.  And  I  did  have  a  fine  day. 
Now,  you  are  not  going  to  envy  your  neighbor's 
garden ! " 

"Why,  no;  I  wouldn't  want  to  take  it  away  if  I 
could,  for  there  are  so  many  of  you  to  enjoy  it,  you 
see,  and  only  so  few  of  us." 

"  And  your  uncle  will  be  rich  enough  to  give  you 
everything  you  want  some  day." 

She  had  never  thought  about  his  being  that. 

A  sudden  shower  of  olives  dropped  down  upon  them 
like  a  great  pelting  rain. 

"  Oh,  Elena,  where  are  you,  you  little  witch !  Ah, 
I  see  you.  Shall  I  shake  you  down  out  of  the  tree?  " 

A  gay,  rippling  laugh  mocked  him. 

"  Lena,  come  down.  The  little  girl  is  here  who  has 
the  squirrel  named  Snippy,  and  the  gull." 

"  I  thought  it  was  Olive.  I  was  going  to  crown  her 
with  her  namesakes.  Why  did  they  give  her  that 
name,  like  hard,  bitter  fruit  ?  " 

"  Why  are  girls  named  Rose  and  Lily  ?  " 

"  Oh,  they  are  pretty  names,  and  sweet." 

"Well,  you  see,  no  one  consulted  me  about  it. 
Please,  come  down." 

She  laughed  again,  like  the  shivering  of  glass  that 
made  a  hundred  echoes.  Then  there  was  a  rustling 
among  the  branches,  and  a  lithe  figure  stood  before 
them,  looking  as  if  she  might  fly  the  next  moment. 

"  Lena !  Lena ! "  and  Victor  caught  her  by  the 
shoulder.  "  What  did  you  promise  this  very  morn- 


166    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

ing — that  you  wouldn't  torment  Olive,  but  behave 
discreetly." 

"  This  isn't  Olive,"  and  she  gave  her  elfin  laugh. 

"  But  you  meant  it  for  Olive.  This  is  the  little  girl 
who  lives  over  on  the  rock,  where  we  go  to  see  the  seals 
and  the  great  flocks  of  birds.  You  know  I  told  you  of 
her." 

Elena  stared  at  the  visitor.  She  had  a  curious, 
gypsy-like  brilliance,  with  her  shining,  laughing  mis- 
chievous eyes  and  the  glow  in  her  cheeks.  She  was 
very  dark,  a  good  deal  from  living  in  the  sun,  and  not 
a  bad-looking  child  either.  And  now  an  odd,  coquettish 
smile  flashed  over  the  eyes,  mouth,  and  chin,  and  was 
fascinating  in  its  softness.  She  held  out  her  hand. 

"  Victor  likes  you  so  much,"  she  said,  and  Victor 
flushed  at  the  betrayal  of  confidence  he  had  used  to 
persuade  her  into  cordiality.  "  I  think  I  shall  like  you, 
too.  Let  us  run  a  race.  If  I  beat  you,  you  must  like 
me  the  most  and  do  just  as  I  say,  and  if  you  beat 
I  will  be  just  like  your  slave  all  day  long." 

"  No,  Lena.     You  must  not  do  any  such  thing." 

"  She  is  like  a  little  snail  then !  She  is  afraid !  "  and 
the  black  eyes  flashed  mirth  as  well  as  insolence. 

"  I  am  not  afraid."  Laverne  stood  up  very  straight, 
a  bright  red  rose  blooming  on  each  cheek.  "  Where 
to  ?  "  she  asked  briefly. 

"  Down  to  the  fig  trees." 

"  Will  you  count  three  ?  "  Laverne  asked  of  Victor. 

He  smiled  and  frowned. 

"  Count !  "  she  insisted  authoritatively. 

They  started  like  a  flash,  the  shadows  dancing  on  the 
path.  Elena  gained.  Victor  grew  angry,  and  came 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  167 

after  them;  then  Laverne  gave  a  sudden  swift  swirl 
and  turned  on  her  antagonist. 

Lena  stopped  with  a  laugh.     She  was  not  angry. 

"  How  you  can  run !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  I  wish  you 
lived  here.  We  would  have  races  twenty  times  a  day. 
And — can  you  climb  trees  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes." 

"And  swim?" 

"  No,"  admitted  Laverne  frankly. 

"  Then  you  can't  do  everything  that  I  can." 

"  And  she  can  do  something  you  cannot.  She  can 
read  French  and  Spanish,  while  you  really  can't  read 
English ;  she  can  do  sums  and  write  letters,  and — and 
sew,"  he  was  guessing  at  accomplishments  now. 

"  There  are  the  women  to  sew." 

"  But  you  might  be  wrecked  on  an  island  where 
there  were  no  women,  and  tear  your  frocks,  as  you  gen- 
erally do." 

Laverne  smiled.  How  find  a  needle  and  thread  on 
a  desolate  island?  Lena  did  not  see  the  point,  and 
looked  rather  nonplussed. 

"  Oh,  well,  I  shouldn't  care  then,"  she  retorted. 

"  Come,  let  us  go  to  the  aviary.  Miss  Laverne  will 
like  to  see  the  birds." 

There  was  a  large  space  netted  in  from  tree  to  tree 
in  which  there  were  many  rare  birds  of  most  exquisite 
plumage,  and  quantities  of  tiny  South  American  love 
birds,  gossiping  with  each  other  in  low,  melodious 
tones. 

"  Oh,  how  wonderful !  "  Laverne  exclaimed. 

"  It's  a  great  fancy  of  father's.  Sea  captains  bring 
him  birds  from  all  countries.  After  a  while,  when  they 


168    A  LITTLE  GIRL"  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

get  really  acclimated  and  can  protect  themselves,  he  lets 
them  out  to  settle  in  the  woods  about.  Do  you  see 
those  two  with  the  beautiful  long  tails?  They  came 
from  the  island  of  Java.  Do  you  know  where  that  is  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it  is  one  of  the  Sunda  Islands  down  by  the 
Indian  Ocean.  Uncle  Jason  has  been  to  Borneo  and 
Sumatra.  And  coffee  comes  from  Java." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  Have  you  been  there  ?  "  ques- 
tioned Elena. 

"  Father  knows,  and  he  has  not  been  there/'  returned 
Victor.  "  He  could  tell  you  a  good  many  things  if  you 
did  not  like  to  learn  them  out  of  books/' 

Laverne  walked  round  the  inclosure  in  a  trance  of 
delight.  And  though  the  voices  now  and  then  made 
discord,  on  the  whole  it  was  a  fascinating  orchestra. 

"  Couldn't  you  tame  some  of  them  ?  " 

"  It  would  take  a  long  time,  I  think.  Those  bright 
Brazilian  birds  are  very  wild.  Every  one  cannot 
charm  birds,  and  father  is  a  pretty  busy  man." 

Elena  soon  tired  of  the  birds,  and  inquired  if  La- 
verne had  a  pony.  Then  they  might  ride  after 
luncheon. 

"  And  it  must  be  nearly  that  now.  Come,  let  us  go 
up  to  the  house." 

Elena  chattered  like  a  magpie,  and  danced  about,  now 
and  then  hopping  on  one  foot,  and  running  to  and  fro. 

"  You  will  think  we  are  a  rather  queer  lot,"  Victor 
said,  half  in  apology. 

"  Oh,  you  are  not  queer.  I  like  you  very  much." 
She  raised  her  clear,  innocent  eyes,  and  it  seemed  a 
very  sweet  compliment  to  him. 

"There  isn't  much  training.     Mamacita  could  not 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  169 

govern  a  cat,  though,  for  that  matter,  I  don't  believe 
cats  are  easily  governed.  Cats  are  queer  things.  But 
school  straightens  up  one,  I  suppose.  Elena  will  go  to 
a  convent  to  be  trained  presently.  Isola  cannot,  so  she 
has  a  governess  to  teach  her  music  and  a  few  things. 
You  must  hear  her  play  on  the  organ.  All  she  cares 
about  is  music." 

"Is  she  very  ill?" 

"  Oh,  not  very,  I  think.  But  she  won't  ride,  which 
the  doctor  thinks  would  be  good  for  her,  and  she  goes 
about  in  that  wheeling  chair  when  she  ought  to  walk, 
and  lies  in  the  hammock.  Mamacita  would  like  her  to 
be  gay  and  bright  and  entertaining  to  the  young  men, 
as  Isabel  is,  because  all  girls  are  expected  to  marry. 
Mamacita  was  only  fifteen  when  papa  met  her  at  a 
ball  at  New  Orleans.  That  must  be  a  very  gay  place, 
without  the  crime  and  rough  life  that  San  Francisco 
has.  I  do  hope  sometime  we  will  be  civilized,  and  not 
have  to  take  in  the  off-scourings  of  all  lands.  I  want 
it  to  be  a  splendid  city,  like  Rome  on  its  seven  hills. 
And  there  is  the  grand  sea  outlook  that  Rome  did  not 
have,  though  she  made  herself  mistress  of  the  seas." 

The  little  girl  watched  him  with  such  intelligent 
eyes  that  it  was  a  great  satisfaction  to  talk  to  her. 
She  was  different  from  any  one  he  had  known.  For 
those  of  the  Southern  blood  were  coquettes  from  their 
very  cradle,  and  wanted  to  talk  of  pleasure  only.  Of 
course,  she  was  being  brought  up  by  a  great  traveller, 
even  if  he  had  never  risen  higher  than  mate  of  a  trading 
vessel.  And  then  the  eastern  women  were  somehow 
different. 

Elena  ran  on,  and  announced  with  a  shout  "  that  they 


1 70    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

were  coming."  The  porch  was  set  out  with  little  tables. 
Mrs.  Personette  was  the  matron  of  the  one  that  had 
her  daughters  and  the  two  young  men.  Mrs.  Savedra 
took  charge  of  Elena  and  Isola,  and  left  Miss  Holmes 
to  Laverne  and  Victor. 

There  were  flowers  and  fruits,  dainty  summer  viands, 
and  much  gay  chatting,  since  they  were  near  enough 
to  interchange  with  each  other.  Laverne  was  very  en- 
thusiastic about  the  aviary. 

"  Oh,  you  must  go  out  and  see  it,"  she  said  eagerly. 

Victor  was  thinking  of  the  great  difference  between 
Miss  Holmes  and  Mam'selle  Claire.  Of  course,  she 
could  talk  about  musicians,  she  seemed  to  have  them 
at  her  tongue's  end,  and  some  French  writers.  He 
was  not  of  an  age  to  appreciate  them ;  young,  energetic 
souls  were  quoting  Carlyle,  even  Emerson  had  crept 
out  here  on  the  Western  coast.  In  a  way  there  was  a 
good  deal  of  politics  talked,  and  a  rather  bitter  feeling 
against  the  East  for  turning  so  much  of  the  cold 
shoulder  to  them.  Even  the  suggestion  of  war  with 
England  over  the  northern  boundary  did  not  seem  very 
stirring  to  these  people.  It  was  their  own  advance- 
ment, the  appreciation  of  all  they  held  in  their  hands, 
the  wonderful  possibilities  of  the  Oriental  trade.  And 
though  it  seemed  quite  necessary  to  study  French,  when 
there  were  so  many  French  citizens,  the  young  fellow 
considered  the  literature  rather  effeminate.  But  Miss 
Holmes  was  conversant  with  the  march  of  the  Car- 
thaginian general  over  the  Alps,  and  later,  that  of  Na- 
poleon, and  the  newer  scheme  that  had  set  their  wisdom 
at  naught,  and  that  the  railroad  was  a  necessity  if  the 
Union  was  not  to  part  in  the  middle.  He  liked  Miss 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  171 

Holmes'  admiration  of  California.  Mam'selle  Claire 
thought  it  rude  and  rough. 

There  was  lounging  in  the  hammocks  afterward,  the 
sun  was  too  hot  to  drive  about.  Isola  went  in  the 
room  presently,  and  played  some  soft,  low  chords  on 
the  organ.  Laverne  crept  in,  enchanted.  She  liked  the 
voluntaries  in  church  when  they  had  no  grand  crushes 
in  them.  Victor  was  talking  with  Miss  Holmes,  so 
she  slipped  away,  for  Elena  had  found  the  quiet  irk- 
some, and  there  were  always  dogs  to  play  with.  The 
dogs  she  thought  better  company  than  most  people. 

Laverne  had  never  been  near  an  organ.  This  was 
not  a  very  large  one,  but  sweet-toned  for  parlor  use. 
She  crept  nearer  and  nearer,  and  almost  held  her 
breath,  while  the  tears  came  to  her  eyes.  It  seemed 
the  sad  story  of  some  one,  the  story  the  ocean  waves 
told  at  times,  or  the  wind  in  the  trees,  when  twilight 
was  falling,  and  now  it  was  darkness,  and  you  could 
almost  hear  the  stars  pricking  through  the  blue.  Then 
one  faint  call  of  a  bird,  and  a  far-off  answer,  and 
lower,  lower,  until  the  sound  wandered  away  and  was 
lost. 

"Oh,"  she  breathed,  "oh!" 

"You  like  it?" 

Laverne  drew  a  long  breath.  "  Oh,  that  isn't  the 
word,"  she  said.  "  We  may  like  a  good  many  things, 
but  they  do  not  all  go  to  your  heart." 

Isola  took  the  fair  face  in  both  hands,  which  were 
cold,  but  the  child  did  not  shrink,  she  was  still  so  im- 
pressed with  the  melody. 

"  Let  me  look  at  you.  Oh,  what  beautiful  eyes  you 
have — sometimes  you  find  that  color  in  the  sky.  But 


172    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

music  goes  to  the  soul,  the  brain,  and  I  wish  I  could 
see  yours.  Did  you  feel  as  if  you  could  swoon  away  ?  " 

"  I  wanted  to  cry,"  Laverne  said,  in  a  tremulous 
tone.  "  But  it  was  not  from  sorrow  nor  joy ;  you  some- 
times do  cry  when  you  are  full  of  delight,  but — at 
times  when  I  hear  the  right  music  in  church,  I  think 
that  is  what  heaven  will  be  like." 

"  What  was  that  like— not  heaven?  " 

"  It  was  night  when  I  am  sitting  out  on  the  step,  and 
not  thinking,  but  just  watching  the  stars  come  out." 

"  Oh,  you  little  darling.  I  wish  you  could  stay  here 
always.  I  wish  they,  your  people,  would  fancy  Elena, 
and  we  could  change.  She  laughs,  and  it  goes  through 
me  like  a  bolt  of  lightning,  and  leaves  me  numb.  I'd 
like  to  have  some  one  who  listens  that  way.  Mam'selle 
declares  the  playing  is  wrong  because  I  do  not  follow 
the  notes,  and  one  day  when  she  insisted,  I  flung  myself 
down  on  the  floor  and  cried  until  I  was  sick.  And 
now  I  am  let  to  play  what  I  like  most  of  the  time.  I 
hate  books — do  you  like  to  study  dry,  prosy  things? 
What  does  it  matter  whether  the  world  is  round  or 
square  ?  " 

"  Why,  it  might  not  revolve  in  quite  the  right  way, 
and  I  guess  the  ships  couldn't  sail  as  well."  She  smiled 
at  the  thought  of  the  corners. 

"  Now,  we  will  have  morning." 

First  it  was  a  wind  rustling  among  the  trees.  The 
sort  of  metallic  swish  of  the  evergreens,  the  whisper 
of  the  pines,  the  patter  of  the  oaks ;  then  a  bird  singing 
somewhere,  another  answering,  hardly  awake;  young 
ones  peeping  a  hungry  cry,  then  a  gay,  swinging,  dash- 
ing chorus,  with  a  merry  lark  going  higher  and  higher, 


IN  THE  SUNSHINE  OF  YOUTH  173 

until  he  was  out  of  hearing.  Sounds  growing  discord- 
ant, impatient,  harsh. 

"  That's  the  world,"  she  explained ;  "  morning  down 
on  the  bay;  the  people  working,  scolding,  swearing; 
don't  you  hate  all  that?  " 

"  We  are  not  near  enough  to  hear  it." 

"  But  if  you  have  heard  it  once  you  can  imagine  it. 
And  some  music  isn't  much  better.  Mam'selle  plays 
things  that  set  my  teeth  on  edge.  Do  you  know  what 
your  soul  is  ?  " 

Laverne  was  startled.  "  Why,"  hesitatingly,  "  it  is 
the  part  that  goes  to  heaven." 

"  Well — heaven  must  be  sweet  and  soft  and  fair,  if 
it  is-  full  of  angels.  And  why  don't  we  keep  to  the 
soft  and  lovely  sides  of  everything  if  we  are  to  go 
there.  Is  kneeling  on  a  hard  stone  floor  in  a  convent  at 
all  like  heaven  ?  " 

"  I  should  think  not." 

"  Mam'selle  considers  it  useful  discipline.  Why,  it  is 
being  dead  to  be  shut  up  in  a  cold,  dark  cell.  And  I 
think  you  are  taken  up  in  strong,  tender  arms,  and 
wafted  above  the  clouds,  like  this " 

Then  she  began  to  play  again.  The  sound  stole 
along  softly,  halting  a  little,  murmuring,  comforting, 
entreating,  floating  on  and  on  to  sounds  so  sweet  that 
the  tears  did  overflow  Laverne's  eyes,  and  yet  she  was 
not  crying. 

Victor  glanced  through  the  wide  doorway. 

"  Why,  that  child  has  even  found  a  way  to  Isola's 
heart,"  he  said. 

"  I  have  been  listening.  Your  sister  is  really  a 
musical  genius,"  Miss  Holmes  replied. 


CHAPTER  XII 

NEW  EXPERIENCES 

MR.  SAVEDRA  came  home  early  to  have  a  share  in  the 
guests.  It  was  pleasant  now  for  riding  and  driving, 
for  the  wind  was  coming  from  the  ocean,  and  wafting 
with  it  the  inspiration  that  started  the  pulses  afresh. 
There  were  ponies  and  saddle  horses.  Laverne  must 
ride. 

"  I  will  go  if  she  can  sit  by  me  in  the  carriage,"  said 
Isola. 

Laverne  gave  a  quick  breath.  She  would  rather 
have  had  the  mount,  but  the  almost  melancholy  eyes 
decided  her.  She  held  out  her  hand  with  a  smile,  and 
she  saw  that  it  pleased  Mr.  Savedra  also. 

Victor  had  a  little  of  his  mother,  but  he  had  taken 
most  of  his  good  looks  from  his  father. 

"  Aunt  Grace,  won't  you  go  with  them  ?  "  he  said 
persuasively.  "  I  want  Miss  Holmes.  Both  of  us 
will  be  needed  to  keep  watch  of  this  monkey." 

"  As  if  I  didn't  go  alone  often  and  often ! "  Elena 
retorted,  wrinkling  up  her  face  in  a  funny  fashion. 

They  took  their  way  to  the  eastward,  and  were  soon 
in  the  open  country,  with  the  great  Sierra  Range 
towering  in  the  distance.  Summer  had  not  scorched 
up  the  fields  or  the  woods.  Hill  and  valley  were 

174 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  175 

spread  out  before  them,  here  glowing  with  flowers, 
there  still  green  with  herbage,  where  Mexican  shep- 
herds were  letting  their  flocks  browse.  Some  pastures 
had  been  eaten  off  to  the  roots  and  glinted  in  golden 
bronze.  Tangles  of  wild  grapes,  with  their  pungent 
fragrance,  reaching  up  and  climbing  over  clumps  of 
trees.  The  far-off  points  seemed  to  touch  the  very  sky 
that  was  like  a  great  sea  with  drifts  one  could  imagine 
were  an  array  of  ships  bound  to  some  wondrous  port. 
Laverne  thought  of  the  weird  experiences  of  the 
"  Ancient  Mariner." 

Yellow  wings,  blues  of  every  shade,  black  and  gold 
and  iridescent,  dashed  here  and  there  or  floated  lazily 
as  if  the  butterfly  had  no  body. 

Isola  held  the  child's  hand,  but  did  not  say  anything, 
she  hated  exclamations.  Mrs.  Savedra  smiled  to  her- 
self, she  knew  her  daughter  was  enjoying  her  com- 
panion. Laverne  felt  half  mesmerized  by  the  hand 
that  had  been  cold  at  first,  and  was  now  gently  throb- 
bing with  some  human  warmth.  She  seemed  to  have 
gone  into  a  strange  country. 

The  sun  set  gorgeously  as  they  were  returning. 
There  was  a  tempting  supper  spread  for  them,  and 
some  lanterns  were  lighted  at  the  edge  of  the  porch. 
Then  Mr.  Savedra  insisted  upon  sending  the  party 
home  in  the  carriage. 

"  I  hope  you  have  had  a  nice  time,  Laverne,"  Mrs. 
Personette  said,  in  a  most  cordial  tone.  "  I  don't  know 
what  the  Savedras  will  do  with  that  daughter.  I'd  like 
to  shake  her  up  out  of  that  dreaminess.  She'll  be  in 
a  consumption  next.  As  for  you  two  girls,  I  think  you 
have  had  your  fill  of  attention  to-day,"  and  she  laughed. 


176     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  You  have  a  stepmother  out  of  a  thousand,  and  I  hope 
you  will  never  do  her  any  discredit." 

They  certainly  had  enjoyed  their  day  wonderfully, 
never  imagining  Victor  had  planned  it  so  that  he  could 
be  left  at  liberty. 

The  little  girl  sat  out  under  the  rose  vine  that  trailed 
over  their  little  porch,  thinking  of  the  beautiful  house, 
the  garden,  the  grounds,  the  birds,  and,  oh,  the  organ 
with  its  bewildering  music. 

"An  organ  must  cost  a  good  deal,"  she  said,  in  a 
grave  tone,  but  there  was  no  longing  in  it.  "  And  then 
if  you  couldn't  play — I  like  the  things  that  are  not  tunes, 
that  just  go  on  when  you  don't  know  what  is  coming 
next,  and  the  voices  of  the  birds  and  the  sound  of  the 
waves  and  all  sweet  things.  It  was  like  fairyland, 
only  I  don't  believe  fairyland  could  be  quite  so 
satisfying,  and  this  is  all  real  and  won't  vanish 
when  you  wake  up."  She  laughed  tenderly  in  her 
joy.  "  Mr.  Savedra  must  be  very  rich,"  she  con- 
tinued. 

"  Yes,  he  is,"  said  Uncle  Jason. 

She  leaned  her  head  down  on  the  broad  breast  where 
the  heart  beat  for  her  alone. 

"  And  you  had  a  happy  day?  " 

"  Oh,  so  happy.     If  you  had  been  there !  " 

She  should  have  all  these  things  some  day.  He  was 
working  and  saving  for  her.  And  times  had  changed 
very  much.  He  and  her  mother  could  have  been 
happy  in  a  little  cottage  where  the  sharp  north  winds 
rushed  down,  and  the  drifts  of  snow  hedged  one  in 
half  the  winter.  She  busy  about  household  work,  he 
wresting  scanty  crops  from  the  grudging  earth.  Yet 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  I77 

if  she  could  have  seen  a  world  like  this!  Well,  the 
little  one  should  have  it  all,  and  see  strange  lands  and 
no  end  of  beautiful  things,  for  the  world  kept  improv- 
ing all  the  time. 

He  began  to  feel  a  good  deal  more  secure  about  her. 
At  first,  when  he  saw  men  from  every  State  in  the 
Union,  men  who  had  committed  various  crimes,  tramps, 
and  scamps,  he  had  a  vague  fear  that  somewhere 
among  them  David  Westbury  would  come  to  light. 
He  would  not  know  him,  only  the  name.  And  he 
wished  now  he  had  changed  his  in  this  new  western 
world.  But  he  would  know  nothing  about  the  child 
unless  he  went  to  the  old  home,  and  that  was  hardly 
likely.  But  if  some  day,  stepping  off  a  vessel  or  wan- 
dering around  the  docks,  a  man  should  clap  him  on 
the  shoulder  and  say,  "  Hello,  Chadsey,  old  man,  I 
never  thought  to  find  you  here !  "  he  would  shake  him 
off,  or  pay  his  way  somewhere  else. 

It  had  never  happened,  and  was  not  likely  to  now. 
He  could  go  on  planning  this  delightful  life  for  the 
little  girl.  Presently  they  would  make  another  move, 
have  a  better  house  and  finer  furniture.  He  had  lost 
nothing  through  this  snap  of  hard  times,  neither 
had  he  made,  but  business  looked  brighter.  Occasion- 
ally he  had  a  longing  to  go  to  the  mines.  Several 
times  he  had  dreamed  of  finding  a  great  nugget,  and 
once  he  dreamed  that  in  stumbling  over  rocks  and 
wilds,  he  had  lost  her.  Night  came  on  and  all  through 
the  darkness  he  called  and  called,  and  woke  with  great 
drops  of  cold  perspiration  streaming  down  his  brow. 
No,  he  could  not  go  to  the  gold  fields  and  leave  her  be- 
hind. 


178    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

The  weeks  and  months  passed  on.  There  was  vaca- 
tion when  she  went  over  to  Oaklands,  and  had  splendid 
times  again,  and  was  fascinated  by  Isola  and  her  music, 
and  they  took  up  a  peculiar  friendship  that  seemed  to 
rouse  the  dreamy  girl  and  delight  Mrs.  Savedra.  Then 
Mrs.  Personette  was  going  down  to  Monterey  with  her 
two  girls  for  a  fortnight,  and  nothing  would  do  but 
Miss  Holmes  and  Laverne  should  accompany  them. 
It  was  not  the  Monterey  of  forty  years  later,  but  a 
queer  old  Spanish  town  with  its  convent,  where  they 
found  Carmencita  Estenega,  who  did  not  look  like  a 
joyous,  happy  girl,  though  next  year  she  was  to  be 
married. 

"  Dear  me !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Personette ;  "  it  seems 
the  same  thing  everywhere,  just  lovers  and  marriage. 
There  is  really  no  career  for  girls  here  but  that,  and  the 
convent  people  are  as  anxious  to  marry  them  off  as 
any  one  else.  To  be  sure,  they  can  become  sisters, 
which  covers  the  obloquy  of  old  maidism.  And  so 
many  of  the  husbands  are  not  worth  having,  and  desert 
their  wives  on  the  slightest  pretext.  I'd  counted  on 
taking  some  comfort  with  my  girls,  but  here  is  Isabel 
considering  every  young  man  as  a  matrimonial  sub- 
ject, wanting  to  leave  school  and  go  into  society,  and 
her  father  saying,  '  Why  not?  '  " 

Miss  Holmes  smiled  a  little. 

"  We  used  to  think  a  girl  ought  to  look  at  mar- 
riage in  a  serious  light,  and  get  ready  for  the  important 
step ;  now  it  is  fine  clothes,  an  engagement  ring,  and  a 
wedding  gown.  But  I  suppose  in  this  wonderful  land 
where  your  fruit  buds,  and  blossoms,  and  ripens  in  a 
night,  girls  do  mature  sooner." 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  179 

Some  weeks  later  she  saw  her  friend  again  and  an- 
nounced that  she  had  been  compelled  to  yield. 

"  Isabel  would  not  go  to  school,"  she  said.  "  If 
there  had  been  a  good  boarding  school  anywhere  near, 
I  should  have  pleaded  hard  for  that.  But  her  father 
would  not.  listen  to  her  being  sent  East.  She  has  a 
smattering  of  several  branches.  She  can  converse  quite 
fluently  in  French  and  Spanish,  she  dances  with  grace 
and  elegance,  she  has  correct  ideas  of  the  fitness  of 
things  that  are  certainly  attractive,  and  is  quick  at  rep- 
artee. She  reads  the  fashion  magazines  when  they 
arrive,  and  the  newspaper  bits  of  arranging  a  table, 
cooking  odd  dishes,  giving  luncheons  and  dinners. 
She  is  really  a  fashionable  young  lady.  And  we  are 
to  give  a  ball  for  her,  and  after  that  I  must  see  that 
she  is  properly  chaperoned.  My  dear  Marian,  we  do 
belong  to  the  past  generation,  there  is  no  denying  it. 
And  I  half  envy  you  that  you  can  live  out  of  the  hurly- 
burly."  * 

"  I  am  glad  myself,"  Miss  Holmes  returned.  "  So 
far  as  most  things  go,  we  could  be  living  in  some  quaint 
old  Puritan  town.  I  don't  know  whether  it  is  really 
best  for  the  child,  but  it  suits  her  uncle  to  have  it  so. 
Now  she  is  going  over  to  the  Savedras  two  afternoons 
a  week  to  study  piano  music.  They  think  Isola  im- 
proves by  the  companionship.  And  those  French 
children,  the  Verriers,  are  very  nice  and  trusty.  They 
are  up  here  quite  often.  She  likes  some  of  her  school- 
mates very  well,  and  she  and  Olive  have  friendly 
spells,"  laughing. 

"  Olive  blows  hot  and  cold.  She  takes  up  a  girl 
with  a  certain  vehement  preference  and  for  a  while 


180    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

can  think  of  no  one  else.  Then  she  finds  her  friend 
has  some  faults,  or  fails  in  two  or  three  points,  and  she 
is  on  with  a  new  admiration.  Girls  are  crude,  funny 
creatures!  Do  you  suppose  we  were  like  them?"  she 
questioned  with  laughing,  disavowing  eyes. 

"  No,  we  were  not,"  returned  Marian.  "  Times  have 
changed.  Life  and  its  demands  have  changed.  We 
were  taught  to  sew,  to  darn,  to  do  fine  needlework; 
here  a  Mexican  or  a  Spanish  woman  will  do  the  most 
exquisite  work  for  a  trifle.  Every  country  lays  its 
treasures  at  our  feet;  it  would  be  folly  to  spin  and  to 
weave.  And  there  is  money  to  buy  everything  with. 
How  careful  we  were  of  a  bit  of  lace  that  our  grand- 
mother had !  The  women  of  the  street  flaunt  in  yards 
and  yards  of  it,  handsomer  than  we  could  ever  have 
achieved.  We  are  on  the  other  side  of  the  country,  and 
are  topsy-turvy.  We  have  begun  at  the  big  end  of 
everything.  Whether  we  are  to  come  out  at  the  little 

end "  and  she  paused,  her  eyes  indecisive  in  their 

expression. 

"  Would  you  like  to  go  back?  " 

"  I'd  like  to  see  dear  old,  proper  Boston,  and  really 
feel  how  much  we  had  changed.  But  the  breadth  and 
freedom  here  are  fascinating.  It  has  not  the  hardships 
of  new  settlers.  Even  the  men  who  sleep  out  on  the 
foothills  with  the  blue  sky  for  covering  may  be  rich 
six  months  hence,  and  putting  up  fine  buildings.  And 
when  you  come  to  that  there  is  no  lack  of  intelligence. 
Haven't  we  some  of  the  best  brain  and  blood  of  the 
East,  as  well  as  some  of  the  worst?  Our  papers  are 
teeming  with  news,  with  plans,  with  business  schemes, 
that  would  craze  an  Eastern  man.  No,  I  do  not  be- 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  181 

lieve  I  should  be  satisfied  to  take  up  the  old  life  there 
again." 

"  And  now  I  must  consider  my  daughter's  entree 
into  society.  Think  of  the  mothers  in  the  old  novels, 
who  took  their  daughters  to  Bath  or  to  London,  and 
looked  over  the  list  of  eligibles  and  made  two  or  three 
selections.  Our  young  women  will  select  for  them- 
selves in  a  half-mercenary  fashion,  and  one  can't  alto- 
gether blame  them.  Poverty  is  not  an  attractive  sub- 
ject." 

Miss  Holmes  was  out  for  a  little  shopping  expedi- 
tion, and  went  in  her  friend's  carriage.  Every  year 
saw  great  changes.  Fire  destroyed  only  to  have  some- 
thing grander  rise  from  the  ashes.  There  was  already 
an  imposing  line  of  stores,  and  a  display  of  fabrics 
that  roused  envy  and  heart-burning.  Where  there  had 
been  one-story  shanties  filled  with  the  miscellany  of  a 
country  store,  only  a  few  years  ago,  now  all  things 
were  systematized  and  compared  well  with  some  East- 
ern towns,  not  as  much,  but  certainly  as  great  a  variety. 
It  had  taken  San  Francisco  only  a  few  years  to  grow 
up.  She  sprang  from  childhood  to  full  stature. 

Then  one  drove  round  the  Plaza  to  Russ's,  mingling 
in  the  gay  cavalcade  until  a  stranger  might  have  con- 
sidered it  a  gala  day  of  some  sort.  Then  to  Winn's 
for  luncheon,  tickets,  perhaps,  to  the  theatre  where 
Laura  Keene  was  drawing  full  houses  of  better-class 
people. 

The  little  girl  was  not  in  much  of  this.  She  went  to 
school  regularly;  she  found  some  very  congenial 
friends.  She  never  could  tell  how  much  she  liked 
Olive,  and  she  was  accustomed  to  be  taken  up  with 


182    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

fervor  and  then  dropped  with  a  suddenness  that  might 
have  dislocated  most  regards,  and  would  if  she  had 
set  her  heart  on  Olive.  She  had  a  serene  sort  of  tem- 
perament not  easily  ruffled ;  she  had  brought  that  from 
Maine  with  her.  She  talked  over  her  lessons  with 
Uncle  Jason,  who  seemed  to  know  so  many  things, 
more  she  thought  than  Miss  Holmes,  though  she  had 
taught  school  in  Boston. 

She  had  a  host  of  squirrel  friends  now,  though 
Snippy  was  amusingly  jealous,  and  at  times  drove  the 
others  off.  There  were  flocks  of  birds,  too,  who  would 
hop  up  close  or  circle  round  her  and  occasionally  light 
on  her  shoulder,  and  sing  deafeningly  in  her  ear,  trills 
and  roulades,  such  as  Mam'selle  played  on  the  piano — 
she  was  not  so  fond  of  the  organ,  it  was  fit  only  for 
church  and  convents  in  the  Frenchwoman's  estimation. 

It  was  funny  to  see  Balder  follow  her  about.  During 
the  rainy  season  he  found  so  many  puddles  in  which  to 
stop  and  rest  and  disport  himself,  but  in  the  dry  times 
they  filled  a  tub  for  him,  and  he  was  content.  Pablo 
caught  fish  for  him,  and  it  was  his  opinion  that  Balder 
lived  like  some  grand  Sefior.  She  never  tired  of  the 
flowers,  and  was  always  finding  stray  nooks  where  they 
bloomed.  She  and  Miss  Holmes  often  went  over  to  the 
ocean  and  sat  on  the  rocks,  looking,  wondering. 

"  Sometime  Uncle  Jason  is  going  to  take  me  way 
over  yonder,"  nodding  her  head.  "  We  shall  go  to  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  which  he  says  are  still  more  beauti- 
ful than  California.  And  then  to  China.  Perhaps 
then  all  the  gates  of  Japan  will  be  open  and  they  will 
let  us  in.  I'd  like  to  see  the  little  girls  in  Japan ;  they 
don't  drown  them  there,  they  never  have  too  many. 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  183 

And  then  there  will  be  India,  and  all  those  queer 
islands.  You  wouldn't  think  there  would  be  room  for 
Australia,  which  is  almost  a  continent  by  itself,  would 
you?  The  world  is  very  wonderful,  isn't  it?" 

Sometimes  they  watched  magnificent  sunsets  when 
the  whole  Pacific  seemed  aflame  with  gorgeous  tints, 
for  which  there  could  be  no  name,  for  they  changed  as 
quick  as  thought.  Then  they  noted  a  faint  pearl-gray 
tint  just  edging  the  horizon  line,  it  seemed,  and  then 
spreading  out  in  filmy  layers,  growing  more  distinct 
and  yet  darker,  marching  on  like  an  army.  Gulls  cir- 
cled and  screamed,  great  loons  and  murres  gave  their 
mournful  cry,  cormorants  swept  on,  hardly  stirring  a 
wing  until,  with  one  swift  lurch,  they  went  down  and 
came  up  triumphant.  Then  the  sky  and  sea  faded, 
though  you  knew  the  sea  was  there  because  it  dashed 
upon  the  rocks,  though  its  tone  was  curiously  muffled. 

"  Come,"  Miss  Holmes  would  say,  "  we  shall  be 
caught  in  the  fog." 

"  I'd  just  like  to  be  damp  and  cold.  It  has  been  so 
dry  that  one  wants  to  be  wet  through  and  through." 

"  We  shall  have  to  pick  our  way." 

It  would  sometimes  come  up  very  fast,  woolly,  soft 
to  the  skin,  at  others  like  a  fine  cutting  mist,  when  the 
west  wind  drove  it  in.  And  now  it  was  all  gray  like 
a  peculiar  twilight  that  made  ghosts  out  of  the  rocks, 
piled  about  and  shut  out  the  Golden  Gate  and  the  peaks 
beyond,  but  they  drew  long  breaths  of  the  sea  fragrance 
that  were  reviving.  The  ponies  stepped  carefully 
down  this  way,  and  across  that  level,  and  then  on  the 
road  Pablo  was  making  for  his  mistress.  The  ponies 
shook  their  heads  and  whinnied  for  very  gladness. 


184    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Bruno  gave  his  cheerful  bark.  Balder  made  a  funny 
grumbling  noise  as  if  he  were  scolding. 

"  Oh,  you  know  you  like  the  fog.  You  are  dripping 
wet,"  with  a  hug  of  tenderness. 

They  were  dripping  wet,  too,  but  they  soon  found 
dry  clothes.  Miss  Holmes  kindled  up  the  fire,  for 
Pablo  kept  them  well  supplied,  though  sometimes  he 
went  long  distances  and  came  home  with  a  great  bundle 
on  his  back  that  almost  bent  him  double. 

"  Now  you  look  just  like  a  German  peasant,"  La- 
verne  would  declare ;  and  Pablo  would  shake  his  head 
mysteriously.  The  young  Missy  had  seen  so  many 
wonderful  things. 

Wood  was  a  rather  scarce  article  in  this  vicinity, 
and  was  expensive.  Coal  likewise,  though  now  some 
had  been  discovered  nearer  home.  The  charcoal  vend- 
ers were  familiar  figures  in  the  streets.  Wild  indeed 
would  he  have  been  who  had  ventured  to  predict  a  gas 
range,  even  the  useful  kerosene  stove. 

The  fog  storms  were  all  they  would  have  for  a  time 
in  the  summer,  and  it  was  wonderful  how  in  a  night 
vegetation  would  start  up. 

Then  Uncle  Jason  would  come  in  puffing  and  blow- 
ing, fling  off  his  long,  wet  coat,  and  stand  before  the 
fire  and  declare  that  Maine  people  said : 

"  An  August  fog  would  freeze  a  dog," 

which  always  made  Laverne  laugh. 

Miss  Holmes  did  not  go  to  the  ball  given  in  honor  of 
Miss  Isabel  Personette,  but  Miss  Gaines  was  among 
the  grown  people.  It  was  at  one  of  the  fine  halls  used 
for  such  purposes,  and  was  beautifully  decorated  with 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  185 

vines  and  flowers  and  American  flags.  The  greatest 
curiosity  was  the  really  splendid  chandelier  with  its 
branching  burners  and  glittering  prisms.  Few  of  the 
real  boy  friends  were  invited — there  were  enough 
young  men  very  glad  to  come  and  dance  their  best. 
No  one  had  to  entreat  them  in  those  days.  Indeed, 
dancing  parties  were  the  great  entertainment  for  young 
people.  True,  women  played  cards  and  lost  and  won 
real  money,  but  it  was  done  rather  privately  and  not 
considered  the  thing  for  any  but  the  seniors. 

It  was  very  gay  and  delightful,  quite  an  ovation  to 
Miss  Personette,  and  the  banquet  part  eminently  satis- 
factory to  the  elders.  Of  course,  Victor  Savedra  was 
included,  being  a  cousin,  and  went,  and  it  brought 
freshly  to  his  mind  the  party  when  he  had  danced  with 
the  sweet,  fair-haired,  little  girl,  who  had  no  knowl- 
edge, but  infinite  grace,  and  how  happy  she  had  been. 

Even  with  politics,  city  improvements,  vigilance  com- 
mittees, quarrels,  and  crimes,  there  was  found  space  in 
the  papers  of  the  day  for  the  social  aspects  of  life,  and 
though  "  sweet  girl  graduates "  had  not  come  in 
fashion,  debutantes  were  graciously  welcomed.  Misr 
Isabel  felt  much  elated.  She  had  shot  up  into  a  tall 
girl  and  was  very  well  looking.  Miss  Gaines  had 
transformed  her  into  beauty. 

Olive  considered  it  very  hard  and  cruel  that  she 
could  not  go,  but  she  was  quite  a  heroine  at  school  yor 
several  days.  It  was  truly  the  next  thing  to  a  wed- 
ding. 

"  And  to  think  of  all  the  splendid  things  that  come 
to  real  young  ladies !  "  she  complained,  yet  there  was  a 
kind  of  pride  in  her  tone  as  well.  "  Two  theatre  parties, 


186    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  she  goes  to  Sausalito  to  a  birthday  ball,  and  stays 
three  days  with  some  very  stylish  English  people, 
friends  of  father's.  I  just  hate  being  thought  a  little 
schoolgirl !  And  I  want  to  go  to  the  Seminary." 

And  then  she  said  to  Laverne : 

"  I  don't  see  what  you  find  in  Isola  to  be  so  devoted 
to  her.  I  wouldn't  go  over  there  twice  a  week  and 
bother  with  her  for  all  the  music  in  the  world.  And 
those  cold  hands  of  hers  make  you  shiver.  They're 
like  a  frog." 

.  "  They  have  grown  warmer.  She  goes  to  ride  every 
day  now.  And  we  read  French  and  English,  and — 
verses.  I  like  the  music  so  much." 

Olive  was  still  secretly  jealous  of  Victor.  But  pres- 
ently he  was  going  away  to  finish  his  education.  And 
she  knew  several  boys  who  went  to  the  Academy  that 
she  thought  much  more  fun.  Victor  was  growing  too 
sober,  too  intellectual. 

They  had  all  become  very  fond  of  the  little  girl  at 
the  Savedras.  Even  wild  Elena,  in  a  half-bashful  way, 
copied  her.  She  could  run  races  and  climb  and  ride 
the  pony  with  the  utmost  fearlessness,  she  did  not 
squeal  over  bugs  and  mice  and  the  little  lizards  that 
came  out  to  sun  themselves.  Lena  had  thrown  one  on 
her,  and  she  had  never  told  of  it.  She  was  not  a  bit 
like  Isola,  although  she  could  sit  hours  over  the  music 
and  reading  of  verses.  And  she  knew  so  much  of  those 
queer  countries  where  tigers  and  lions  and  elephants 
lived. 

"  But  you  have  never  been  there,"  the  child  said 
with  severe  disbelief. 

"  You  study  it  in  books  and  at  school." 


NEW  EXPERIENCES  187 

"I  hate  to  study!" 

"You  will  love  it  when  you  are  older.  Some  day 
your  father  may  take  you  to  France,  and  then  you  will 
want  to  know  the  language." 

"  I  know  a  little  of  it,  enough  to  talk." 

"  Mam'selle  will  be  glad  to  teach  you  the  rest." 

"  And  Spanish— I  knew  that  first." 

"  And  I  had  to  learn  it,  and  French,  with  a  good  deal 
of  trouble." 

"  But  you  knew  English,"  rather  jealously. 

"  Just  as  you  knew  Spanish — in  my  babyhood." 

That  seemed  very  funny,  and  Lena  laughed  over  it. 

"  Then  you  really  were  a  baby,  just  like  Andrea,  only 
whiter.  Will  your  hair  always  be  goldy  like  that  ?  " 

"  I  think  so.    Uncle  Jason  likes  it." 

She  asked  dozens  of  inconsequent  questions. 

"  You  must  not  let  her  trouble  you  so  much,"  Mrs. 
Savedra  said.  "  She  will  have  more  sense  as  she  grows 
older." 

Laverne  only  smiled  a  little. 

Isola  found  her  such  a  companion,  such  a  listener 
as  she  had  never  known  before.  Isabel  did  not  care 
for  music ;  Olive  teased  her,  and  she  put  her  stolid  side 
out.  She  would  not  get  angry  and  satisfy  them.  And 
then  it  seemed  as  if  Victor  suddenly  cared  more  for 
her,  and  she  half  unconsciously  did  some  of  the  things 
he  suggested.  She  did  not  know  that  Laverne  had  said 
to  him,  "  Oh,  you  ought  to  do  the  things  that  please 
her,  and  then  she  will  love  you.  I  wish  I  had  a  sister." 

She  wondered  a  little  whom  she  would  want  her  like  ? 
It  was  a  serious  matter  to  have  a  sister  who  would  be 
with  one  continually.  She  was  used  to  Miss  Holmes, 


i88     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  that  was  more  like — well,  like  an  aunt.  Some- 
times she  tried  to  think  of  her  mother,  but  the  remem- 
brance was  vague.  She  could  seem  to  see  her  old 
grandmother  much  easier,  fretting  and  scolding. 

Victor  was  glad  and  proud  that  she  had  found  a  way 
to  all  their  hearts. 

There  were  Christmas  and  New  Year's  with  all  their 
gayety.  And  in  a  month  spring,  that  had  run  away 
from  the  tropics. 

"  It  goes  on  too  fast,"  she  said  to  Uncle  Jason. 
"  And  do  you  see  how  I  am  growing  ?  Miss  Holmes 
says  something  has  to  be  done  to  my  frocks  all  the 
time.  I  don't  want  to  be  big  and  grown  up." 

He  studied  her  in  amazement.  He  did  not  want  her 
to  be  big  and  grown  up  either.  These  years  were  so 
satisfying. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL 

THEY  were  planning  at  the  school  for  a  May  Celebra- 
tion. They  would  go  clear  up  the  bay  in  a  boat  to  San 
Pablo,  and  have  a  picnic  and  a  dance  out  of  doors,  and 
come  home  in  the  moonlight. 

So  it  was  a  little  late,  and  Bruno  stood  watching  out 
for  her.  "Good  old  fellow ! "  she  said,  with  a  pat. 
Miss  Holmes  had  a  visitor,  she  saw  through  the  open 
window.  She  went  round  by  the  kitchen. 

Bruno  tugged  at  her  skirt. 

"What  is  it,  Bruno?" 

His  eyes  had  a  sorrowful  look,  she  thought.  "  What 
is  it,  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

He  tugged  again  at  her  skirt. 

"  Well,  come  on.  Though  I've  stacks  of  lessons  to 
learn.  Look  at  all  those  books." 

She  dropped  them  on  the  step,  and  followed  the  dog. 
Up  the  winding  path,  and  now  there  was  water  enough 
for  a  musical  trickle  over  the  stones. 

There  was  Balder's  basin,  where  he  was  so  fond  of 
disporting  himself  after  the  rains  filled  it  up.  Oh, 
what  was  that  lying  on  the  side,  that  still  white  thing 
glistening  in  the  sunshine ! 

"  Bruno  ?  "  She  stamped  her  foot  and  looked  up- 
braidingly  at  him.  Had  he  been  playing  roughly  with 

189 


I9o    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

her  pet?  Oh,  what  was  the  meaning  of  these  blood- 
stained feathers  about  his  neck!  She  flung  herself 
down  beside  him.  The  eyes  were  dull  and  partly 
closed.  She  stroked  the  white  feathers  with  tender 
hands. 

"  Bruno,  I  shall  never  love  you  again,  never !  Oh, 
how  could  vou !  " 

He  took  a  few  steps  away.  Then  he  dragged  some 
tumbled  gray  thing  to  her  feet.  Why,  that  was  a  fox, 
with  his  bushy  tail.  They  had  been  hunted  a  good  deal 
and  were  giving  civilization  a  rather  wide  berth. 

She  looked  at  the  dog,  who  told  the  story  with  his 
eyes  as  he  glanced  from  one  to  the  other.  She  reached 
up  and  put  her  arms  about  his  neck. 

"  Oh,  Bruno,  I'm  sorry  I  blamed  you.  I  thought 
perhaps  you  were  a  little  rough,  but  you  cared  so  for 
my  beautiful  Balder  that  I  might  have  known  you 
couldn't  hurt  him !  And  that  wicked,  wretched  fox ! 
Well,  I  am  glad  he  has  his  deserts.  But  that  will  not 
bring  back  my  dear  Balder.  Oh,  have  you  gone  to 
join  the  old  heroes  in  Valhalla?  For  I  can't  think  you 
were  just  a  common  bird.  You  would  have  gone  back 
to  your  kind  if  you  had  been.  I  ought  to  write  a 
lament  for  you." 

Pablo  was  coming  up  the  road  with  a  back  load  of 
brush.  But  he  dropped  it  in  dismay  as  she  called. 

Bruno  pawed  the  fox,  then  gave  it  a  push,  and 
glanced  up  at  Pablo. 

"  You  see — the  fox  must  have  crept  up  here,  and 
seized  my  dear  Balder  by  the  neck  and  killed  him. 
And  Bruno  made  him  pay  for  it." 

When  Pablo  was  deeply  moved  or  amazed,  he  went 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL  191 

back  to  his  Mexican  patois,  that  Bruno  had  come  to 
understand  very  well,  and  nodded  sagaciously. 

"  The  thief !  The  murderer !  Last  year,  you  know, 
your  uncle  and  I  shot  two  of  the  bloody  thieves  over 
the  ridge  there,  and  I've  not  seen  one  since.  Bruno 
seized  him  by  the  throat,  and  has  torn  him  well.  Look 
at  the  brush — why,  a  lady  could  put  it  on  her  tippet. 
And  the  skin— I'll  have  that.  We'll  throw  him  out  to 
feed  the  hawks.  Oh,  the  poor  gull!  He  was  like 
folks,  Missy,  you  had  all  trained  him  so  much.  Oh, 
don't  cry  so,  Missy." 

Bruno  came  up  and  rubbed  her  shoulder,  licked  her 
hand,  and  gave  a  low,  mournful  lament  of  sympathy. 

Laverne  rose  and  took  the  dead  bird  in  her  arms. 
The  visitor  had  gone,  and  Miss  Holmes  stood  out  by 
the  door,  wondering.  The  procession  took  their  way 
thither. 

"  The  mean,  sneaking  brute,  that  he  should  have 
come  just  when  I  had  gone.  The  bird  was  so  fond  of 
paddling  round  there.  Strange  that  he  never  wanted 
to  go  with  his  kind,  but  most  things  want  to  keep  by 
you,  Missy." 

They  told  the  sad  story  over.  Laverne  laid  the  gull 
down  tenderly  on  a  bit  of  matting. 

"  Pablo,  will  you  wash  his  neck  and  have  him  all 
clean  and  white  ?  " 

"  My  dear,"  Miss  Holmes  said,  and  clasped  the  child 
in  her  arms,  letting  her  cry  out  her  sorrow.  She  and 
Bruno  went  down  to  meet  Uncle  Jason  presently.  No 
grief,  hardly  a  disappointment,  had  come  near  her 
until  now.  How  could  he  comfort  his  darling?  And 
he  felt  with  Pablo  that  the  bird  had  been  almost  human. 


i92    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  I  wonder,"  he  said  in  the  evening,  "  if  you  would 
like  to  have  him  mounted.  There's  an  old  Frenchman 
down  in  Rincon  Street  who  does  this  to  perfection. 
The  birds  look  alive." 

Laverne  considered.  "  No,  I  believe  I  would  rather 
have  him  buried.  I  should  think  how  the  sly  fox  crept 
up  and  dragged  him  out  before  he  could  turn  to  defend 
himself.  We  will  put  him  in  a  box  and  bury  him. 
Oh,  Balder,  I  shall  miss  you  so  much." 

"  I  think  I  could  capture  one  easily." 

"  To  be  sure  you  could.  They're  stupid  things," 
subjoined  Pablo. 

"  But  he  wasn't.  Uncle  Jason,  I  think  some  wicked 
fairy  changed  him  from  something  else,  for  he  used 
to  look  at  times  as  if  he  had  a  story  in  his  eyes.  No, 
I  don't  want  another.  And  I  should  always  be  afraid 
of  a  fox." 

He  snuggled  her  up  with  his  arm  close  about  her. 
So  they  sat  until  the  stars  came  put,  twinkling  like 
live  spirits  in  the  cloudless  blue.  It  was  warm,  with 
all  manner  of  odors  in  the  air,  and  the  hum  of  the 
city,  lying  below  them,  came  up  faintly.  Oh,  how  he 
loved  her.  And  he  prayed  there  might  never  come 
any  deeper  sorrow  to  touch  her  tender  heart. 

Pablo  dug  a  grave  the  next  morning,  and  they 
buried  Balder  the  beautiful.  All  day  she  dreamed 
of  the  Norse  gods,  and  of  Hermod,  who  took  the 
journey  to  the  barred  gates  of  Hell,  at  Frigga's  earnest 
persuasion,  and  how  every  rock,  and  tree  and  all  living 
things  wept  for  him,  except  one  old  hag,  sitting  in  the 
mouth  of  a  cavern,  who  refused  because  she  hated  him, 
and  so  Balder  could  not  return.  She  was  a  little  ab- 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL 


193 


sent,  and  missed  two  or  three  questions,  and  Miss  Bain 
asked  her  if  her  head  ached,  she  made  such  an  effort 
to  keep  the  tears  from  her  eyes. 

So  Balder  slept  under  a  straight  young  pine  near 
the  little  lake  they  had  made  for  him.  Pablo  skinned 
the  fox  with  great  zest,  and  made  of  it  a  fine  rug,  with 
a  strip  of  black  bearskin  for  a  border. 

She  wondered  whether  she  ought  to  feel  merry 
enough  to  go  on  the  May  party.  But  the  children  in- 
sisted. The  boat  was  a  fine  strong  one,  and  there 
really  was  no  danger ;  Uncle  Jason  was  assured  of  that. 
Then  it  was  such  a  glorious  day.  There  was  a  fog 
early  in  the  morning,  and  the  fight  between  the  golden 
arrows  of  the  sun  and  the  gray  armor  that  came  up  out 
of  the  sea.  Sometimes  it  did  conquer,  and  came  over 
the  city,  but  this  morning  it  was  pierced  here  and  there, 
and  then  torn  to  tatters,  driven  out  beyond  the  strait, 
into  the  ocean. 

Miss  Bain  took  supervision  of  her  scholars,  and  Miss 
Holmes  had  many  charges  not  to  let  the  little  girl  out 
of  her  sight  a  moment.  There  were  a  number  of 
schools,  but  some  of  the  children  preferred  the  May 
walk,  and  the  treat  afterward.  They  started  off  with 
flags  flying,  and  the  young  Geary  Band  had  volun- 
teered their  services.  There  were  a  drum,  two  fifes, 
a  cornet,  and  a  French  horn,  and  the  boys  began  with 
the  stirring  patriotic  tunes.  But  even  here  the  old 
negro  melodies  had  found  their  way,  many  of  them 
pathetic  reminders  of  the  cotton  fields  of  the  South, 
that  seemed  to  gain  melody  from  the  stretch  of  bay. 

They  passed  Fort  Point  and  Alcatraz  Island,  where 
the  government  was  beginning  magnificent  defences, 


I94    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

its  high  point  looming  up  grandly.  Angel  Island,  then 
almost  covered  with  a  forest  of  oak,  yet  oddly  enough 
containing  a  fine  quarry,  where  laborers  were  at  work, 
hewing  into  the  rock,  almost  under  the  shadow  of  the 
waving  trees.  Yerba  Buena,  with  its  fragrant  odors 
blown  about  by  the  wind,  smaller  islands,  big  rocks 
rising  out  of  the  sea,  the  inhabitants  being  chiefly  birds ; 
vessels  of  nearly  every  description,  and  intent  mostly 
upon  trade,  plied  hither  and  thither.  Here  was 
another  strait  opening  into  San  Pablo  Bay,  into  which 
emptied  creeks  and  rivers,  the  Sacramento  washing 
down  golden  sands;  and  the  San  Joaquin.  And  up 
there  was  the  wonderful  land  where  the  Argonauts 
were  searching  for  treasure  with  less  toil  and  anxiety 
than  the  elder  Jason,  though  here,  too,  there  were 
treachery  and  murder. 

Almost  by  the  strait  there  was  a  beautiful  point  of 
land  jutting  out  in  the  water,  and  nearly  covered  with 
magnificent  trees,  that  had  grown  so  close  together 
that  the  branches  interlaced  and  made  arches,  while 
underneath  were  aisles,  carpeted  with  fallen  leaves 
and  moss,  that  made  you  feel  as  if  you  were  walking 
over  velvet.  You  could  see  San  Raphael  and  San 
Quentin,  and  the  mountain  range  with  the  one  high 
peak,  as  you  looked  westward;  eastward  there  was, 
after  the  woodland,  meadows  of  richest  verdure,  with 
their  thousand  blooms  nodding  gayly  to  each  other,  and 
softly  gossiping,  perhaps  about  these  strange  new- 
comers, who  were  presently  to  disturb  their  long,  long 
possessorship.  There  the  great,  grand  Sierras,  that 
looked  so  near  in  the  marvellously  clear  air. 

They  found  a  choice  spot,  and  built  a  fire — it  would 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL  195 

not  have  been  a  picnic  without  that.  There  were  boys, 
of  course,  though  a  girl  was  restricted  to  a  brother  or 
cousin.  I  fancy  some  cousins  were  smuggled  in. 
They  ran  about;  they  were  even  young  enough  to 
play  "  tag,"  and  "  blind  man  in  a  ring,"  and  "  fox  and 
geese,"  which  was  the  greatest  fun  of  all.  Then  they 
spread  out  their  tablecloths  on  a  level  space,  and 
though  real  paper  plates  and  thin  wooden  ones  had  not 
come  in  yet,  they  had  made  some  for  themselves  that 
answered  the  purpose.  They  were  merry  enough  with 
jests  and  laughter. 

Olive  Personette  was  quite  the  heroine  of  the  day. 
Miss  Isabel's  engagement  to  Captain  Gilbert,  who  had 
been  appointed  to  take  some  charge  at  Alcatraz,  and 
had  come  of  an  old  Californian  family,  beside  being 
educated  at  West  Point,  was  still  a  topic  of  interest, 
because  there  had  been  two  other  aspirants  for  her 
hand  who  had  quarrelled  and  fought  a  duel,  which 
was  quite  an  ordinary  matter  in  those  days,  though 
frowned  upon  by  the  best  people.  So  neither  had 
won  her  heart.  One  was  lying  in  the  hospital,  the 
other  had  fled  northward.  But  it  had  made  quite  a 
stir. 

Of  course,  she  had  asked  Victor,  importuned  him, 
though  he  had  meant  all  the  time  to  come.  He  was  a 
fine,  manly  fellow  now,  and  the  girls  did  flock  about 
him.  He  had  such  a  grave,  courteous  manner,  and 
never  descended  into  rudeness,  though  he  was  quick 
enough  at  fun,  and  it  does  not  need  an  intricate  order 
of  wit  to  amuse  before  one  is  twenty. 

Olive  picked  out  the  most  prominent  girls  for  him, 
and  kept  him  busy  enough.  But  he  managed  now  and 


196    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

then  to  pass  Laverne  and  say  a  word  to  show  that  she 
was  in  his  mind. 

"  I  think  Isola  wanted  to  come  very  much,"  he  an- 
nounced to  her  once.  "  She's  taking  such  an  interest 
in  the  pleasures  that  girls  have,  and  she  has  grown 
stronger.  Father  is  planning  some  day  to  take  a  sail 
all  around  the  bay,  just  a  little  party  of  us,  and  we 
want  you  and  Miss  Holmes." 

That  was  such  a  delight.  She  did  not  refuse  to  talk 
to  other  boys,  but  she  liked  the  girls  better.  Her 
rather  secluded  life  had  not  given  her  so  much  interest 
in  hunting  and  fishing  and  ball-playing  and  race-run- 
ning. Then  on  Sunday  there  was  always  horse-racing 
up  on  the  track  by  the  old  Mission.  Church-going 
people,  not  really  members,  but  those  who  considered  it 
the  proper  thing  to  pay  a  decorous  attention  to  religion, 
went  to  church  in  the  morning  and  drove  out  in  the 
afternoon.  Throngs  of  fine  carriages,  and  handsomely 
dressed  ladies,  men  on  horseback,  with  enough  of  the 
old-style  attire  to  stamp  them  as  Mexican,  Spanish,  or 
the  more  than  half  Old  Californian.  Many  of  the 
more  successful  ones  began  to  plume  themselves  on  a 
sort  of  aristocracy. 

The  boys  knew  the  favorite  horses,  some  of  their 
fathers  owned  a  fast  trotter.  But  somehow  she  did 
not  care  much  to  talk  about  them,  though  she  had  gone 
out  occasionally  with  Uncle  Jason,  and  it  was  exciting 
to  witness  the  trials  of  speed.  But  she  liked  better  to 
jog  about  on  Pelajo  and  talk  in  the  lovely  by-paths 
they  were  always  finding. 

After  the  repast  they  swung  in  hammocks  and 
talked  over  plans,  or  rambled  about,  then  the  band 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL  197 

played  for  dancing.  No  gathering  would  have  been 
perfect  without  that.  Of  course,  they  flirted  a  little, 
that  was  in  the  young  blood,  but  they  came  home 
merry,  and  had  not  disputed  unduly  about  their  re- 
spective admirers. 

Victor  found  time  to  say  that  he  should  come  over 
next  Saturday.  "  We'll  have  a  nice  time,  all  to  our- 
selves," he  whispered,  and  she  glanced  up  with  de- 
lighted eyes. 

All  her  life  thus  far  had  been  very  quiet,  in  spite  of 
the  fact  that  she  was  in  such  a  turbulent  place,  and 
with  all  sorts  of  people,  gathered  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth;  where  seldom  a  day  passed  without  some 
tragedy.  And  it  seemed  as  if  the  city  was  coming 
nearer  and  nearer,  though  it  went  southward,  too,  and 
all  along  the  bay,  docks  and  wharves  and  warehouses 
were  springing  up  in  a  night. 

Victor  came  over  the  following  Saturday  as  he  had 
promised.  They  sat  under  the  pine  tree  and  wrote 
verses  to  Balder's  memory.  Victor  had  found  a  volume 
of  Scandinavian  legends  and  poems,  and  they  were 
fascinated  with  it. 

"  Of  course,  we  can't  write  anything  like  that,"  she 
said  simply,  "  but  you  notice  these  do  not  rhyme.  Do 
you  not  think  it  really  grander,  tenderer?" 

"  I  heard  a  voice  that  cried 
4  Balder  the  Beautiful 
Is  dead,  is  dead  ! 
And  through  the  misty  air, 
Passed  like  the  mournful  cry 
Of  sunward  sailing  cranes.' " 

"You  repeat  poetry  so  beautifully,"  he  exclaimed, 


I98    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

enchanted  with  the  pathetic  voice,  that  could  express 
so  much,  yet  was  so  simply  sweet. 

They  were  not  born  poets.  He  had  great  trouble 
about  his  Latin  hexameters.  He  could  feel  it  floating 
through  his  brain,  but  it  was  very  elusive,  vanishing 
before  it  was  caught.  She  made  a  few  little  lines  with- 
out rhyming. 

Then  he  told  her  of  the  other  god  that  had  ruled  a 
realm  of  lovely  thoughts,  until,  as  the  legend  ran,  when 
Christ,  the  Redeemer  of  mankind,  was  born,  a  great 
groan  was  heard  all  over  the  isles  of  Greece,  the  rushes 
bowed  their  heads,  and  the  waves  shuddered  when  it 
was  proclaimed  that  Olympus  was  dethroned,  and  Pan 
was  dead. 

"  And  that  dismal  cry  rose  slowly, 
And  sank  slowly  through  the  air, 
Full  of  spirit's  melancholy 
And  eternity's  despair 

As  they  heard  the  words  it  said — 

Pan  is  dead,  great  Pan  is  dead — 

Pan,  Pan  is  dead." 

And  then,  as  they  listened,  the  gulls'  cry  came  to 
them,  toned  by  the  distance,  softened  by  the  murmur  of 
the  wind  into  a  requiem  for  the  dead  Balder. 

After  all  he  did  not  tell  her  what  he  had  meant  to. 
He  would  put  off  the  evil  day. 

Everybody — children,  I  mean — was  anxious  about 
examinations.  Very  few  really  longed  for  them,  but 
there  was  the  vacation  beyond. 

She  had  been  wandering  about  one  afternoon,  Bruno 
keeping  close  to  her  side,  though  there  was  little  to 
call  strangers  up  this  way.  The  view  was  finer  from 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL  199 

the  Presidio,  and  the  principal  fishing  ground  was 
farther  down  below.  So,  when  Bruno  gave  a  growl, 
she  started  and  glanced  about,  and  saw  some  one  toil- 
ing over  the  rocks  with  a  cane.  A  very  old  woman  it 
seemed,  as  she  leaned  upon  her  stick,  and  hardly  knew 
which  way  to  go. 

"Hush,  Bruno,  hush!"  she  commanded. 

The  figure  came  nearer.  Bruno  was  not  at  all 
pleased  with  it. 

The  rough  hair  was  a  grayish  white.  A  flowered 
handkerchief  was  tied  over  it  with  a  knot  that  hid  the 
chin.  The  garments  were  coarse  and  faded,  the  short 
skirt  of  a  Mexican  woman,  and  clumsy  shoes. 

"  It  is  Laverne  Chadsey."  Something  in  the  voice 
connected  it  with  the  past.  And  now  that  she  straight- 
ened herself  up,  she  was  quite  tall. 

"  But  I  don't  know  you,"  Laverne  said,  rather  hesi- 
tatingly. 

"  Then  the  disguise  must  be  very  good.  I  am  an  old 
— shall  I  say,  old  friend?  We  were  not  very  warm 
friends  when  I  knew  you." 

Was  it  a  school  friend  playing  a  prank? 

"  I  am  so  tired."  She  dropped  down  on  a  stone. 
"  I  wanted  to  see  you  first— I  am  a  little  afraid  of  Miss 
Holmes."  Then  she  pulled  off  the  headgear,  afterward 
the  gray  wig. 

Laverne  stood  astounded.  "  It  isn't,  it  surely  isn't 
Carmen  Estenega ! " 

"Why— yes;  you  know  you  saw  me  last  at  the 
Convent." 

"  And  you  were  going  to  be  married." 

"  Oh,  what  a  blind  idiot  I  was !     But  it  was  con- 


200    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

sidered  a  great  thing,  and  I  didn't  know  how  any  one 
'might  love  then.  I  know  now.  I  have  run  away.  I 
would  kill  myself  sooner  than  marry  Pascuel  Estenega." 

Laverne  drew  a  long  breath.  Yes,  this  really  was 
Carmen.  The  eyes,  the  mouth,  when  she  talked,  but 
there  was  a  fire  in  the  face  that  had  not  been  there  in 
childhood,  and  a  spirit  that  half  frightened  Laverne. 

"  I  want  to  see  your  uncle.  I  have  a  note  to  him, 
from — from  a  person  he  has  confidence  in.  And  I 
want  to  tell  him  my  story.  I  think  men  take  a  dif- 
ferent view,  of  some  things,  at  least  I  believe  he  will, 
and  another  person  thinks  so." 

She  blushed  as  she  uttered  this. 

"  You  ran  away — from  the  Convent  ?" 

"  Yes.  It  was  very  skilfully  planned.  They  were 
not  quite  so  strict — I  was  to  be  married  in  a  month, 
there  in  the  chapel,  and  they  allowed  me  time  to  my- 
self. I  had  a — a  girl  devoted  to  me,  who  did  em- 
broidery and  sewing,  and  she  carried  notes.  Then 
there  was  a  place  in  the  old  garden  where  the  railing 
was  broken,  but  it  was  hidden  by  the  shrubbery.  A 
girl  had  seen  a  snake  there,  and  no  one  would  go  near 
it.  We  used  to  meet  there  when  his  vessel  came  in. 
And  it  was  all  planned." 

"He — who?  Not "  and  Laverne  hardly  knew 

how  to  put  her  question. 

"  Oh,  not  Pascuel  Estenega.    He  love  a  girl !  " 

The  face  seemed  to  quiver  with  scornful  indignation, 
and  the  eyes  fairly  blazed. 

"  He  is  an  American.  He  is  in  the  employ  of  your 
uncle,  and  he  will  be  good  to  us  both.  Perhaps  in  his 
youth  he  knew  what  love  was.  We  are  going  to  trust 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL  201 

him.  He  comes  up  with  the  trading  vessel  on  Satur- 
day. He  put  me  on  another,  the  Lulita,  an  old  Spanish 
thing,  and  I  was  an  old  Mexican  woman.  No  one 
suspected.  We  came  in  at  noon,  and  I  walked  off. 
Gracios!  how  the  world  has  changed.  I  had  to  ask 
the  way;  no  one  paid  any  attention  to  an  old  woman 
with  a  stick,  and  bent  in  the  shoulders." 

She  gave  a  triumphant  laugh. 

"  But — your  marriage " 

She  seemed  to  study  Laverne  from  head  to  foot,  and 
the  girl  shrank  a  little. 

"  Holy  Mother,  what  a  child  you  are !  Not  in  long 
skirts  yet !  And  you  know  nothing  about  love ;  but  you 
may  some  day.  Not  like  the  heat  that  is  in  the  Spanish 
blood,  when  it  is  roused,  but  many  a  woman  is  given 
in  marriage  who  knows  no  more  about  it  than  a  child. 
Papa  Estenega  came  to  see  me  when  I  had  been  in  the 
Convent  some  months.  I  do  not  understand,  but 
mamacita  has  some  old  portraits  and  archives  and 
jewels,  that  came  from  Spain,  and  we  are  the  last  of 
the  two  houses.  He  was  very  anxious*  for  these,  and 
mamacita  had  no  son.  So  when  she  came  they  signed 
a  marriage  contract.  Pascuel  had  been  ill,  and  the 
doctor  had  taken  him  away  for  his  health.  We  went 
out  to  the  estate.  It  is  a  splendid  old  place.  I  was 
very  proud  then  of  being  chosen  as  its  mistress.  Well, 
perhaps  I  held  my  head  too  lofty.  Then  I  heard  that 
years  before  Pascuel  had  wedded  a  young  girl,  and 
when  her  baby  was  born  dead,  he  treated  her  very 
bitterly,  and  one  night  she  threw  herself  down  an  old 
well,  though  it  was  said  she  had  gone  out  of  her  mind. 
He  came  to  the  convent  after  a  while,  and  I  thought 


202    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

I  should  faint  when  I  saw  him.  He  was  a  shrunken- 
up  thing,  a  good  head  shorter  than  his  father.  Oh,  I 
do  believe  I  could  have  married  Papa  Estenega  more 
willingly.  His  eyes  were  small  and  cruel,  he  had  a 
great  mustache,  over  a  hanging  lip,  and  his  hair  was 
already  turning  white.  Then  I  began  to  place  some 
credence  in  what  one  of  the  girls  said,  and  repeated  it 
to  mamacita.  Panchita  was  sent  away  from  school 
the  next  week,  and  no  one  knew  just  why.  Mamacita 
would  not  hear  a  word,  and  said  it  was  sheer  envy; 
that  any  girl  would  be  proud  of  reigning  there,  and 
being  the  mother  of  an  Estenega  heir.  And  then  I 
saw  Senor  Jose  Hudson,  the  American,  and  my  heart 
seemed  to  go  out  of  me  at  once.  We  talked  with  our 
eyes,  and  then  he  sent  me  a  note.  He  came  to  church 
two  or  three  times,  but  of  course  we  hardly  dared  look 
at  each  other.  He  found  this  broken  place,  and  I  used 
to  steal  down  there.  Oh,  it  was  delicious !  I  told  him 
all  the  story,  and  he  said  we  would  run  away  and  that 
I  should  be  his  wife.  He  had  no  estate,  but  he  could 
make  enough  money  to  take  care  of  me,  and  that  we 
would  go  farther  north,  and  be,  oh,  so  happy  with 
each  other.  So  I  seemed  to  give  in,  and  fretted 
mamacita  no  more,  and  they  began  with  the  trousseau. 
Senor  Hudson  planned  it  all,  and  brought  me  the  wig 
and  the  garments.  And  one  day,  just  dusk,  I 
slipped  out,  a  lame  old  woman,  and  a  servant  took  me 
to  the  boat.  He  was  waiting  there,  and  we  had  a  talk. 
You  see,  it  would  not  have  been  best  for  me  to  come 
on  his  boat.  When  he  asked  me  if  I  had  any  trusty 
friend  in  San  Francisco,  I  spoke  of  you,  and  he  said, 
'  Oh,  that  is  my  master.  Jason  Chadsey  owns  the 


BALDER  THE  BEAUTIFUL  203 

boat.  I  have  worked  for  him  two  years.  Go  straight 
to  him  and  he  will  befriend  you.'  So  he  wrote  the 
letter  I  have  in  my  hand.  I  could  not  seek  him  in 
that  busy  place,  where  there  were  crowds  of  men 
around,  so  I  found  my  way  up  here.  Juana  had  writ- 
ten me  about  it,  though  I  was  frightened  at  every  step. 
And  I  found  you.  I  saw  you  up  here  with  the  dog. 
You  know  in  that  old  time  I  did  not  care  much  for  you, 
we  were  taught  that  the  Americanos  were  interlopers, 
and  would  sweep  us  out  of  our  homes,  drive  us,  heaven 
only  knew  where,  but  now,  because  I  have  found  one  so 
sweet  and  noble  and  tender,  I  can  see  the  virtues  and 
graces  in  you  all.  And  I  know  you  will  befriend  me." 

She  knelt  suddenly  at  Laverne's  feet,  and  snatching 
her  hands,  covered  them  with  kisses.  Isola  Savedra 
sometimes  did  this.  The  child  was  confused,  helpless. 

"  And  the  Senor  Chadsey  will  be  good  to  me  for  the 
sake  of  Senor  Hudson.  It  will  be  only  two  days.  And 
will  you  beseech  your  Senora  to  be  kind  and  pitiful, 
and  to  pardon  this  attire,  as  if  I  was  a  beggar  ?  " 

A  bell  rang  then.  It  was  Miss  Holmes'  call  for  a 
return  home,  a  warning  that  it  was  near  supper  time. 

"  Come,"  Laverne  said.  She  was  still  bewildered, 
but  led  the  way.  And  there,  turning  round  the  corner, 
she  saw  Uncle  Jason,  so  she  ran  forward  with  out- 
stretched arms,  her  light  hair  flying  like  a  cloud. 

"  Well,  little  one !"  smiling  fondly. 

"  Something  so  queer  has  happened."  She  was  out 
of  breath,  and  flushed,  for  her  heart  was  beating  tre- 
mendously. "  Carmen  Estenega  is  here  and  she  is 
going  to  marry  the  man  you  have  talked  about,  Joseph 
Hudson." 


204    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Why,  the  vessel  has  not  come  in,  will  not  be  in 
until  Saturday." 

"  Yes.  She  wants  to  wait  here  for  him.  Oh,  Uncle 
Jason,  you  will  be  good  to  her.  She  has  run  away 
from  the  convent,  and  it  is  like  a  story  from  a  book. 
Come!" 

Carmencita  stood  where  Laverne  had  left  her.  For 
the  first  time  she  began  to  feel  frightened.  "  Oh,"  she 
cried,  "  have  pity  on  me ;  do  not  send  me  away  until 
Senor  Hudson  comes,  and  you  will  see  that  my  story 
is  true." 

"What  is  all  this?"  He  looked  from  one  to  the 
other.  Miss  Holmes  came  out.  Then  Carmen  turned 
scarlet,  remembering  her  attire. 

"  It  is "  Miss  Holmes  looked  her  over. 

"  Carmencita  Estenega,  who  asks  shelter  for  two 
days,  and  prays  that  you  will  not  betray  her  to  a  cruel 
life.  Oh,  like  the  other  poor  lady,  I  should  drown 
myself." 

"  You  have  run  away  from  a  convent  ?" 

"  Oh,  let  me  explain !" 

She  told  the  story  over  again  as  they  stood  there, 
now  her  voice  athrill  with  love,  now  piteous  with  en- 
treaty. And  it  did  move  Jason  Chadsey's  heart.  Be- 
sides, he  had  found  the  young  fellow  trusty,  and  liked 
him,  and  his  note  was  very  straightforward. 

"  We  will  talk  more  at  length  about  it,"  he  said 
gravely,  "  and  I  dare  say  supper  is  ready." 


CHAPTER  XIV 

A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING 

Miss  HOLMES  led  her  guest  to  her  room,  where  she 
might  refresh  herself,  and  provided  her  with  some 
garments,  as  they  were  nearly  of  a  size.  Carmen  was 
too  excited  to  be  hungry.  She  did  not  attempt  to 
disguise  her  dislike  and  fear  for  the  man  chosen  to 
be  her  husband,  but  Chadsey  knew  family  fortunes 
were  often  united  that  way,  and  girls  had  little  voice  in 
the  matter.  That  she  loved  young  Hudson  was  quite 
apparent.  Miss  Holmes  smiled.  She  had  thought  Car- 
men a  rather  proud,  stolid  girl,  quite  captious  about 
Americans. 

Jason  and  Miss  Holmes  considered  after  the  girls 
had  gone  to  bed.  It  was  a  rather  risky  thing  to  har- 
bor her  and  consent  to  a  marriage,  but  the  escape  had 
been  so  well  managed,  they  would  hardly  look  for  her 
in  the  city.  Telegraphs  did  not  flash  news  from  every- 
where then. 

"  But  suppose  this  young  man  is  not  quite  trust-* 
worthy  ?  "  said  prudent  Miss  Holmes. 

"  Oh,  you  don't  know  Hudson.  He  is  straight  as  a 
yardstick.  And,  somehow,  I  hate  to  spoil  the  romance 
and  the  love.  We  can  wait  until  Saturday.  Yes,  I 
think  that  will  be  better." 

Laverne  was  not  to  go  to  school  the  next  day,  lest 
205 


206     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

she  might  inadvertently  touch  upon  the  adventure. 
And  so  the  two  girls  steeped  themselves  in  Romance. 
Carmen  had  heard  more  than  one  confidence  within  the 
cloistered  walls  that  had  never  gone  to  confession. 
There  were  girls  with  their  destinies  mapped  out 
before  them  as  hers  had  been,  sent  there  to  keep  them 
from  the  grasp  of  another  love  which  had  already 
caught  them,  girls  praying  for  husbands  with  the  life 
of  a  nun  before  them.  They  went  out  and  sat  under 
the  pine  tree. 

"  Oh,"  said  Carmen,  "  if  you  have  had  no  greater 
love  and  no  greater  sorrow  than  that  for  a  bird,  your 
life  has  flowed  evenly  enough.  But  you  Americanos 
are  so  much  colder  of  blood." 

In  the  main,  it  was  a  wonderful  day  to  Laverne,  but 
she  felt  that  she  did  not  need  any  other  love  than  that 
of  Uncle  Jason. 

"  You  are  such  a  child,"  Carmen  said  almost  pity- 
ingly. Yet  it  was  an  unknown  childhood  to  her. 

Miss  Holmes  brought  down  one  of  her  frocks,  that, 
with  a  spasm  of  economy,  she  had  meant  to  make  over 
for  the  child.  She  had  grown  a  little  stouter  in  this 
wonderful  climate,  and  could  not  wear  it.  She  glanced 
at  the  slender  virginal  form,  and  decided  what  could 
be  done.  Carmen  was  handy  with  her  needle,  there 
had  been  need  enough  in  her  straitened  life. 

No  one  came  near  them.  Pablo  had  forgotten  about 
the  Estenegas,  or  thought  of  them  vaguely  as  children, 
and  this  was  a  friend  of  Missy's. 

Jason  Chadsey  was  much  puzzled  what  course  to 
pursue.  The  right  way  seemed  to  be  to  send  word  to 
the  Senora  Estenega.  But  the  tidings  could  just  as 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  207 

well  be  sent  if  he  found  Joseph  Hudson  untrustworthy. 
The  vessel  came  in  Saturday  afternoon.  The  mas- 
ter was  watching  out,  and  saw  Mr.  Chadsey  on  the 
pier.  He  waved  his  broad-fronted  tarpaulin,  and  was 
answered  by  the  return  wave  of  a  hand.  There  were 
some  orders  to  give,  the  boat  was  made  fast,  and  Hud- 
son sprang  ashore.  And  as  the  elder  man  looked  full 
into  the  young,  trusty  face,  his  heart  went  out  to  the 
lovers,  and  he  resolved  to  befriend  them. 

So  he  brought  him  home  to  supper,  and  it  was 
planned  that  they  would  go  over  to  Sausalito  on  the 
morrow  and  find  a  priest  to  marry  them.  Then  he 
must  secure  a  vessel  going  northward,  and  be  out  of 
the  way  some  months  at  least,  for  he  knew  Spanish 
vengeance  was  quick  and  sharp.  He  had  heard  a 
few  stories  about  Pascuel  Estenega's  treatment  of  serv- 
ants that  were  rather  chilling.  The  matter  had  been 
so  well  managed  that  he  had  not  been  suspicioned  at 
all,  and  when  the  vessel  left  Monterey,  the  disappear- 
ance had  not  been  whispered  outside  the  convent  walls. 
But  that  was  not  to  say  no  search  had  been  made. 

Jason  Chadsey  accompanied  them,  and  stood  as  sort 
of  sponsor  for  the  marriage.  The  priest  was  old  and 
not  inquisitive,  or  perhaps  the  fee  in  hand  convinced 
him  that  all  things  were  right.  The  sponsor  was  curi- 
ously touched  by  the  unalloyed  delight  of  the  young 
couple,  who  seemed  now  so  perfectly  content  that  they 
made  love  in  the  most  unabashed  fashion,  while  before, 
Carmen  had  appeared  shy  and  in  terror. 

They  returned  to  the  home  that  had  sheltered  them, 
and  Hudson  thought  it  best  to  take  some  trip  up  north- 
ward, perhaps  settle  there  for  a  while.  Already  there 


208     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

was  much  trading  up  to  the  Columbia  River.  Chad- 
sey  hated  to  give  up  so  trusty  and  capable  a  man.  He 
might  fit  out  a  vessel  with  miscellaneous  stores ;  indeed, 
that  was  the  way  to  carry  trade  to  strange  places. 
He  would  put  Joseph  Hudson  in  as  captain,  and  leave 
the  bargain-making  in  his  hands. 

Miss  Holmes  did  some  shopping  for  the  young  wife, 
as  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  for  Carmen  to  venture 
out.  She  longed  ardently  to  see  her  little  sisters,  and 
begged  that  Laverne  might  go  and  call  on  them.  The 
latter  had  not  seen  them  for  a  long  while,  the  watchful 
sister  had  discouraged  any  intimacy. 

Laverne  had  begun  school  on  Monday  with  many 
injunctions  from  Miss  Holmes  to  be  most  watchful 
over  herself.  She  had  a  wonderful  secret  now.  Olive 
Personette  never  had  had  anything  like  it,  for  her  sis- 
ter's engagement  had  been  announced  at  once.  And  she 
was  so  full  of  that,  and  the  marriage  in  the  early  au- 
tumn, that  she  could  hardly  steady  her  mind  sufficiently 
to  pass  her  examinations.  Then  she  was  going  to 
the  Academy  next  year.  They  were  all  young  ladies 
in  the  department,  you  had  nothing  to  do  with  little 
girls.  There  were  to  be  three  bridesmaids,  and  their 
attendants  were  to  wear  full  military  costumes. 

"  Don't  you  think  I  might  go  over  to  the  sisters?  " 
Laverne  pleaded.  "  I  would  be  very,  very  cautious. 
Carmen  wants  so  to  hear  about  them." 

Miss  Holmes  was  almost  afraid,  but  the  pleading 
eyes  conquered. 

She  went  after  school.  There  was  the  long,  bare 
corridor,  with  one  table  and  a  big  registry  book,  two 
wooden  benches,  and  a  few  chairs.  The  adobe  floor 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  209 

had  been  painted  gray,  like  the  walls,  and  it  looked 
cheerless  to  the  American  girl. 

Sister  Anasticia  was  not  quite  sure.  The  children 
were  busy  with  the  study  hour.  But  Laverne  pleaded 
with  the  same  eyes  that  she  had  won  Miss  Holmes,  and 
presently  the  sister  brought  the  children  in,  and  seated 
herself  at  the  table  with  some  needlework. 

They  were  fuH  of  quiet  joy,  and  squeezed  Laverne's 
hands  with  the  old  friendliness.  And  they  had  so 
much  to  tell  her.  Carmen  was  to  be  married  soon,  the 
wedding  gowns  were  being  made,  and  they  were  beau- 
tiful. The  old  home  had  been  dismantled,  the  city 
was  to  cut  streets  through  it.  They  did  not  care,  it 
was  a  lonely  old  place.  They  were  going  to  Monterey 
to  live,  and  they  were  so  glad.  Carmen  would  be  a 
great  lady,  and  live  on  a  fine  estate,  ride  around  in  her 
carriage,  and  give  balls,  and  they  would  all  be  so  happy. 

Juana  resembled  her  mother  in  face  and  figure. 
But  Anesta  had  shot  up  into  a  tall  girl,  and  suggested 
Carmencita,  carried  her  head  rather  haughtily. 

The  sister  rapped  on  the  table  with  her  thimble,  rais- 
ing her  eyes. 

"  You  are  too  noisy  and  too  frivolous,"  she  said, 
with  severity. 

They  kissed  each  other  good-by. 

"I  wish  we  could  come  over  and  see  you,"  Juana 
whispered.  "  We  always  had  such  a  good  time.  Per- 
haps you  will  come  to  Monterey,"  wistfully. 

"  Oh,  I  think  I  shall,"  was  the  hopeful  reply. 

Carmen  was  so  glad  to  hear  about  them,  and  how 
they  looked,  and  if  they  seemed  happy.  She  had  con- 
sidered writing  letters  to  them  a  great  hardship,  now 


2io    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

she  felt  she  could  fill  pages  and  pages.  She  wondered 
how  it  was  that  her  heart  was  so  overflowing  with  love. 
And  the  thought  that  she  might  never  see  them  again 
filled  her  eyes  with  tears. 

"  Oh,  I  do  wonder  if  Pascuel  will  desire  to  marry 
either  of  the  girls  ?  "  she  cried  in  half  affright. 

"  But  if  he  is  so  old " 

"That  doesn't  seem  to  matter  where  there  is 
money.  And  Papa  Estenega  wanted  both  branches  of 
the  family  united.  And  if  I  had  not  had  a  son ! " 

She  shuddered,  thinking  of  the  poor  wife  who  had 
drowned  herself. 

It  was  not  until  the  last  of  the  week  that  Captain 
Hudson  was  ready  to  start  with  his  venture.  Carmen 
packed  her  plain  trousseau,  and  was  most  grateful  for 
all  the  kindness. 

"  I  shall  see  you  sometime  again,"  she  said,  in  a 
broken  voice,  "  but  not  in  quite  a  while.  It  will  be 
best  to  stay  until  they  have  forgotten  about  me.  I 
shall  be  cast  out,  you  know.  They  will  take  my  name 
off  the  books,  and  excommunicate  me,  I  think.  But  I 
shall  be  an  American,  and  you  do  not  fear  such  things, 
so  I  will  try  not  to.  Oh,  how  good  you  have  all  been 
to  me.  I  can  never  repay,  but  I  shall  pray  night  and 
morning,  and  you  will  live  in  my  thoughts." 

They  started  out  Saturday  afternoon.  Jason  Chad- 
sey  pressed  a  roll  of  money  in  the  bride's  hands.  In 
those  days  wedding  gifts  were  pure  friendship.  There 
would  be  a  full  moon,  and  they  could  sail  all  night,  for 
a  full  moon  on  the  Pacific  Coast  was  something  really 
beyond  description.  Jason  Chadsey  sat  out  on  the  step 
enjoying  it.  He  always  felt  beauty  keenly,  though  he 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  211 

had  no  words  for  it.  This  was  why  he  delighted  in 
the  child's  prattle.  She  had  so  much  imagination. 

Had  he  been  young  once  and  loved  like  that? 
Young  people  of  to-day  put  their  love  in  passionate 
words,  rapturous  kisses.  They  were  not  afraid  of 
making  it  the  best  thing  of  life,  as  it  was.  And  his 
love  had  only  sipped  the  dregs. 

Was  Laverne  crying  ?  "  What  is  it,  dear  ? "  he 
asked. 

"  The  house  seems  so  lonely,  just  as  if  some  one  had 
been  buried,  as  it  did  when  Balder  was  killed.  Uncle 
Jason,  couldn't  we  go  somewhere?  Or  if  something 
would  happen  again.  I  liked  Captain  Hudson  so 
much.  And  Carmencita  has  grown  so  sweet.  Oh,  it 
has  been  such  a  lovely  week,  but  it  went  so  rapidly. 
Does  the  time  pass  quickly  when  you  are  happy,  and 
slowly  when  you  are  a  little  dull  ?  " 

"  But  you  have  me,"  he  said  jealously. 

"  I  couldn't  live  without  you."     She  nestled  closer. 

"  I  want  you  always,  always." 

"  And  sometime  we  might  go  up  North.  It  is  a 
queer,  wild  country,  grand,  but  not  as  beautiful  as  the 
southland,  with  its  millions  of  flowers.  Something  like 
Maine,  I  reckon." 

"  I've  almost  forgotten  about  Maine." 

"Up  there  the  mountain  peaks  are  covered  with 
snow  the  year  round." 

"  Then  it  is  like  the  Alps." 

"  And  the  great  Columbia  River.  No  towns  to 
speak  of,  but  stations,  hunters,  and  trappers,  and  fur 
animals,  and  wildness  of  every  kind,  game  of  every 
kind." 


912    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Something  of  the  old  adventurous  life  stirred  within 
him.  But  he  had  the  little  girl.  And  when  they  be- 
gan their  travels,  she  would  be  older  and  have  a  taste 
for  beautiful  things. 

Yes,  the  house  did  seem  lonesome,  but  Laverne  was 
very  busy,  and  events  began  to  happen.  Mrs.  Folsom 
made  another  move,  this  time  to  quite  a  fine  family 
hotel,  and  she  gave  a  housewarming  on  going  in. 
Old  friends,  there  were  not  many  of  them,  and  new 
friends,  of  whom  there  was  an  abundance,  for  she 
was  a  favorite  as  a  householder.  Dick  had  grown 
up  into  a  jaunty,  well-looking  young  fellow,  and  had 
not  plunged  into  ruinous  excesses,  partly  because  his 
mother  had  kept  a  sharp  oversight,  and  the  rest  his 
clean  New  England  stamina,  the  wrecks  had  filled  him 
with  disgust  and  repulsion. 

All  the  old  friends  met,  of  course.  Mrs.  Dawson 
was  rosy  and  plump,  and  had  retired  to  a  stylish  house 
with  servants  and  carriage.  The  Dawson  Cafe  was 
one  of  the  better-class  institutions  of  the  town,  and 
coining  money.  Miss  Gaines  stood  at  the  head  of 
fashionable  modistes,  and  there  was  no  appeal  from 
her  dictum.  You  could  accept  her  style  or  go  else- 
where. There  had  been  offers  of  marriage,  too,  she 
laughingly  admitted  to  her  friends.  "  Ten  years  ago 
I  should  have  accepted  one  of  them  gratefully;  now 
I  value  my  independence." 

Dick  Folsom  went  over  to  Laverne. 

"  I  haven't  seen  you  in  so  long  and  you  have  grown 
so,  I  hardly  knew  you,"  he  said.  "  May  I  beg  the 
honor  of  your  hand  for  this  quadrille  ?  " 

She  was  quite  longing  to  dance  and  accepted. 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  213 

"We  oughtn't  forget  each  other  after  that  five 
months'  journey  together,"  he  remarked  in  one  of 
the  pauses.  "  Does  it  ever  seem  queer  to  you,  as  if 
it  was  something  you  dreamed?  I  can't  make  it  real. 
But  they've  improved  the  overland  so  much,  and  when 
we  get  the  railroad — presto;  you  will  see  a  change! 
If  we  were  only  nearer  England.  But  there's  China, 
if  we  are  not  swamped  by  the  pigtails  and  pointed 
slippers!  How  queer  they  are!  We  don't  need  to 
go  to  foreign  lands  to  study  the  nations.  I  some- 
times wonder  what  the  outcome  of  all  this  conglomera- 
tion will  be ! " 

"  We  are  so  far  off,"  she  replied  in  a  sort  of  tenta- 
tive fashion.  "  It's  almost  like  another  town." 

"  Yes.  They'll  tumble  you  down  presently,  as  they 
did  before.  You  wouldn't  know  the  old  place,  would 
you?  They've  carted  away  stones  and  debris  to  fill 
up  the  marshy  edges  of  the  bay.  And  there's  a 
long,  straight  street,  a  drive  out  to  fine  country 
ways.  Is  there  any  other  land  so  full  of  flowers,  I 
wonder ! " 

"  And  they  are  so  royally  lovely.  Think  of  great 
patches  of  callas  in  blossom  nearly  all  the  time.  Miss 
Holmes  said  when  she  was  at  home  she  used  to  nurse 
up  one  to  blossom  about  Easter.  If  she  had  two  flow- 
ers she  thought  it  quite  a  marvel." 

What  a  soft,  musical  laugh  the  child  had!  They 
used  to  run  races  on  the  boat,  he  remembered,  and  he 
had  enough  boyish  gallantry  to  let  her  win.  They 
ought  to  be  dear  old  friends. 

"  Do  you  ever  go  out  to  drive  on  Sunday  after- 
noon?" 


214    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  It's  Uncle  Jason's  day,  the  only  leisure  he  has. 
And  we  spend  it  together." 

"  He's  had  stunning  luck,  too.  Getting  to  be  a  rich 
man." 

"  Is  he  ?  "  she  said  simply. 

"  Is  he  ?    Well,  you  ought  to  know,"  laughing. 

"  He  doesn't  talk  much  about  business." 

"  A  great  country  this  is  for  making  fortunes !  The 
trouble  is  that  you  can  spend  them  so  easily.  But  I'm 
bound  to  hold  on  to  mine,  when  I  get  it  made." 

Some  one  else  took  her.  He  looked  after  her.  She 
would  be  a  pretty  girl  presently  and  quite  worth  con- 
sidering. He  had  a  good  opinion  of  himself,  and  was 
not  going  to  be  lightly  thrown  away. 

They  trudged  up  the  hill  just  after  midnight.  La- 
verne  was  gay  and  chatty,  recounting  her  good  times. 
It  seemed  as  if  she  had  as  much  attention  as  Olive 
from  the  younger  men,  and  Olive  was  always  so  proud 
of  that. 

Uncle  Jason  gave  a  sigh. 

"  Oh,"  she  cried,  "  you  look  tired.  Don't  you  like 
parties  ?  I  thought  it  splendid !  " 

"  I'm  getting  old,  dear " 

"  Oh,  you  mustn't  get  old !  "  she  interrupted  im- 
pulsively. "  Why  can't  people  turn  back  a  little  some- 
where along,  and  be  young  again?  For,  you  know,  I 
can't  get  old  very  fast,  and  I  think — yes,  I  am  quite 
sure  I  don't  want  to.  I'm  having  such  a  splendid  time 
since  you  were  so  lovely  to  Carmen,  and  made  her 
happy.  I  sometimes  think  if  you  had  sent  her  back  to 
Monterey — but  you  couldn't  have  done  that,  could 
you?" 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  215 

"  No,  dear,"  he  answered  softly. 

He  had  heard  a  point  discussed  this  evening  that 
did  trouble  him  a  little.  They  were  talking  of  lowering 
Telegraph  Hill  again.  He  was  not  ready  to  go  yet. 
In  two  years  maybe.  She  would  not  have  any  lovers 
by  that  time,  and  then  they  could  start  off  together. 
He  must  not  grow  old  too  fast. 

The  next  happening  in  their  little  circle  did  interest 
her  a  good  deal.  Howard  Personette  had  finished  his 
year's  term  at  college,  and  come  home  quite  unex- 
pectedly, when  his  father  had  intended  him  to  finish 
and  take  a  degree. 

"  I'm  not  a  student,  I'm  convinced  of  that,"  he  an- 
nounced rather  doggedly.  "  I  don't  see  any  sense  in 
keeping  at  what  you  don't  like,  and  don't  mean  to  fol- 
low. I  want  the  stir  and  rush  of  business  instead  of 
splitting  hairs  about  this  and  that.  I've  been  awfully 
homesick  the  last  year,  and  dissatisfied,  but  I  knew  you 
would  not  agree  to  my  coming  home,  so  I  just  came. 
And  if  there's  nothing  else  for  me  to  do,  I'll  go  to 
work  on  the  streets." 

Students  were  expected  to  study  in  those  days. 
Athletics  had  not  come  in  for  their  diversion.  Mr. 
Personette  was  disappointed.  He  wanted  to  make  a 
lawyer  out  of  his  son,  and  to  lay  a  good  foundation  for 
the  years  to  come. 

Mrs.  Personette  rather  sympathized  with  the  eager 
young  fellow,  who  was  ready  to  take  up  any  active  life. 

"  The  East  is  so  different,"  he  explained.  "  Perhaps 
if  I  hadn't  been  born  here  and  breathed  this  free,  ex- 
hilarating air  all  my  life,  I  might  have  toned  myself 
down  and  stayed.  But  I  had  begun  to  hate  books, 


ai6    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  what  was  the  use  maundering  away  several 
years?" 

Olive  thought  him  quite  a  hero.  Captain  Franklin 
said  if  there  was  any  lack  of  employment  in  the  city 
he  could  come  out  to  Alcantraz.  They  would  be  very 
glad  to  have  a  fellow  who  was  not  afraid  to  work. 

"  Why,  I  should  feel  proud  of  him,  shouldn't  you  ?  " 
Laverne  asked  of  Uncle  Jason. 

"  That  depends,"  he  answered,  with  a  shake  of  the 
head. 

But  if  one  came  home  from  an  indifference  to  study, 
another  was  going  to  take  a  greater  absence.  Four 
years  without  coming  home  at  all !  The  journey  was 
long  and  expensive,  and  there  seemed  a  better  use  for 
vacations. 

This  was  Victor  Savedra,  who  had  many  student 
longings.  And  so  one  afternoon  the  two  sat  out  under 
the  pine,  their  favorite  place,  and  he  was  explaining 
to  Laverne  his  plans  for  a  few  years  to  come. 

"  Father  wanted  me  to  go  to  Paris,"  he  said.  "  If 
I  meant  to  be  a  physician,  I  think  I  would.  But  first 
and  last  and  always  I  mean  to  be  an  American  citizen. 
I  suppose  I  might  go  to  Yale  or  Harvard,  but  that 
seems  almost  as  far  away,  and  my  choice  appears  more 
satisfactory  all  around,"  smiling  a  little.  "  We  like 
the  new,  but  we  have  a  hankering  for  the  old  civi- 
lizations, and  the  accretions  of  knowledge." 

They  both  looked  out  over  the  Golden  Gate,  the 
ocean.  There  were  dancing  sails,  jungles  of  masts, 
cordage  like  bits  of  webs,  tossing  whitecaps  in  strong 
contrast  to  the  blue,  and  over  beyond,  the  green,  wooded 
shores.  The  old  semaphore's  gaunt  arms  were  dilapi- 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  217 

dated,  and  it  was  to  come  down.  But  it  had  thrilled 
hundreds  of  hearts  with  its  tidings  that  friends,  neigh- 
bors, and  greatest  joy  of  all,  letters  from  loved  ones  in 
lands  that  seemed  so  distant  then. 

Now  the  lack  of  rain  had  dried  up  vegetation,  except 
the  cactus  and  some  tufts  of  hardy  grass.  The  little 
rivulet  was  spent,  there  was  only  a  bed  of  stones.  But 
they  had  managed  to  keep  something  green  and  invit- 
ing about  the  house.  A  riotous  Madeira  vine  flung 
out  long  streamers  of  fragrant  white  blooms  that 
seemed  to  defy  fate  laughingly.  Down  below  they 
were  levelling  again,  this  time  for  a  last  grade,  it  was 
said. 

"  It  will  all  be  so  changed  when  I  return.  I  wonder 
where  you  will  go?  For  you  cannot  climb  up  to  this 
eyrie.  You  would  be  perhaps  a  hundred  feet  up. 
They  want  the  sand  and  the  debris  to  fill  in  the  big 
piers  they  are  building.  Why,  they  will  almost  sweep 
the  great  hill  away,  but  they  will  have  to  leave  the 
rocks  by  the  sea.  It  will  be  a  new  San  Francisco." 

"  Why,  it  is  almost  new  now,"  and  she  smiled. 

"  Everything  will  have  changed.  And  we  shall 
change,  too.  I  shall  be  twenty-three  when  I  come 
back." 

Laverne  looked  at  him  wonderingly.  They  had  all 
been  big  boys  to  her,  and  she  had  been  a  little  girl. 
True,  he  had  grown  to  man's  estate  in  height,  and  there 
was  a  dainty  line  of  darkness  on  his  upper  lip.  It  had 
been  so  imperceptible  that  just  now  it  seemed  new  to 
her. 

"  And  I  shall  be — why,  I  shall  be  past  nineteen  then," 
she  commented  in  surprise. 


218    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"And — and  married,"  he  hazarded.  The  thought 
gave  him  a  pang,  for  that  was  new,  too. 

"  No,"  she  returned,  looking  up  at  him  out  of  inno- 
cent eyes,  while  the  faint  rose  tint  in  her  cheek  never 
deepened.  "  No,  I  shall  not  be  married  in  a  long,  long 
time.  Presently  Uncle  Jason  and  Miss  Holmes  and  I 
are  to  set  out  on  a  journey,  just  as  they  do  in  some 
of  the  stories.  We  shall  go  to  the  strange  lands  he 
tells  me  about,  we  shall  see  the  people  in  their  native 
element,"  and  she  smiled  at  the  conceit,  "  where  we 
see  only  a  dozen  or  two  here.  What  do  you  suppose 
draws  them  to  California  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  stories  of  gold,  of  course."  Their  com- 
ing and  going  did  not  interest  him.  "  I  wonder  if  you 
will  be  in  London  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Oh,  of  course.  I  want  to  see  the  Queen  and  the 
palaces,  and  Edinburgh,  and  Holyrood,  and  all  the 
places  those  proud  old  Scots  fought  over,  and  poor 
Marie  Stuart!  And  Sweden  and  Norway,  and  the 
midnight  sun,  and  the  Neva,  and  St.  Petersburg " 

She  paused,  out  of  breath. 

"  London  is  what  interests  me,"  he  interposed. 
"  And  if  you  could  come  over  next  summer " 

She  shook  her  head.  "  No,  it  won't  be  next  sum- 
mer, but  it  may  be  the  year  after,"  she  returned  gravely. 

"  And  if  it  was  my  vacation.  Then  I  might  join 
you  for  a  few  weeks." 

"  That  would  be  splendid."    Her  soft  eyes  glowed. 

"  I  shall  keep  thinking  of  that." 

"  Oh,  will  you?  Then  I  will  think  of  it,  too.  And 
it  is  queer  how  time  runs  away.  You  hardly  notice 
it  until  the  bells  ring  out  for  New  Year's." 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  219 

"I  wonder — if  you  will  miss  me  any?"  and  his 
voice  fell  a  trifle,  though  he  tried  to  keep  anxiety  out 
of  it. 

"  Miss  you  ?  Why,  of  course !  "  She  was  full  of 
wondering,  and  to  him,  delicious  surprise.  "  We  have 
been  such  friends,  haven't  we?  Ever  since  that  night 
you  showed  me  about  the  dancing?  I've  been  amazed 
since  that  I  had  the  courage,  when  I  hardly  knew  a 
step,  but  after  all  it  was  very  much  like  dancing  to  the 
singing  of  the  birds,  and  I  had  often  done  that.  Olive 
didn't  like  it.  We  were  not  good  friends  for  ever  so 
long  afterwards." 

"  Olive  wants  to  be  head  and  front  of  everything, 
and  have  the  main  attention.  I'm  sorry  not  to  stay  to 
the  wedding — it  will  be  a  grand  affair.  And  no  doubt 
next  year  Olive  will  go  off.  You  haven't  many  girl 
friends,  have  you  ?  " 

"  Well," — she  hesitated  delicately  and  smiled  in  a 
half  absent  but  adorable  fashion, — "  I  do  not  believe 
I  have.  You  see,  we  seem  to  live  a  little  apart  up  on 
this  hill,  and  there  have  been  lessons,  and  riding  about 
on  the  pony,  and  going  over  to  your  house,  and  most 
of  the  girls  are  larger " 

"  The  children  all  adore  you.  Oh,  I  hope  you  will 
go  over  often.  I  don't  know  what  Isola  would  do 
without  you." 

"  Yes,  I  shall,"  she  said.  "  I'm  so  fond  of  music. 
If  I  were  a  poet,  a  real  poet,  you  know,"  and  she 
flushed  charmingly,  "  I  should  write  little  songs  to  her 
music.  They  go  through  my  brain  with  lovely  words, 
and  I  can  see  them,  but  they  don't  stay  long  enough  to 
be  written  down.  Oh,  yes,  I  shall  go  over  often.  And 


320    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

we  shall  talk  about  you.  Of  course,  you  will  write  to 
your  father,  and  we  shall  hear." 

"  Yes."  Something,  perhaps  not  quite  new,  but 
deeper  and  stronger  than  any  emotion  he  had  ever 
known  before,  stirred  within  him.  If  he  were  going 
to  stay  here  he  would  insist  upon  being  her  best  friend, 

her  admirer,  her He  choked  down  some  poignant 

pain  that  was  delicious  in  spite  of  the  hurt.  He  hated 
to  think  of  leaving  her  behind,  two  long  years.  She 
would  be  seventeen  then;  yes,  old  enough  for  any 
man  to  marry — but  she  did  not  mean  to  marry,  that 
was  the  comfort.  And  he  believed  it  because  he 
wanted  to  so  very  much.  She  was  such  an  innocent 
child.  If  this  tumult  within  him  was  love,  it  would 
frighten  her,  she  would  not  know  what  it  meant. 

She  slipped  her  hand  in  his.  "  We  shall  all  be  so 
sorry  to  have  you  go,  but  then  you  will  return.  And 
perhaps — oh,  yes,  I  shall  beg  to  go  to  London  first," 
she  cried  eagerly. 

He  was  different  from  an  impulsive  American.  He 
had  been  trained  to  have  great  respect  for  the  sacred- 
ness  of  young  girls,  and  he  owed  a  duty  to  his  father, 
who  had  planned  out  a  prosperous  life  for  him. 

The  sun  was  dropping  down  into  the  ocean,  and  the 
fog,  creeping  along,  sent  gray  and  soft  purplish  dun 
tints  to  soften  and  almost  hide  the  gold.  And,  oh, 
how  the  birds  sang,  freed  most  of  them  from  family 
cares.  The  meadowlark,  the  oriole,  the  linnets,  and 
the  evening  grosbeak,  with  a  clear  whistling  chorus 
after  the  few  melodious  notes  of  his  song.  They  both 
rose,  and  went  scrambling  down  the  winding  path  that 
defied  Pablo's  efforts  to  keep  in  order.  The  shifting 


A  WEDDING  AND  A  PARTING  221 

sand  and  the  stones  so  often  loosened  and  made  rougH 
walking,  so  he  held  her  up,  and  she  skipped  from  one 
solid  place  to  another. 

Down  below  they  were  moving  some  houses  on  the 
newly  cut  street,  so  as  to  prepare  for  the  next. 

"  They  ought  to  begin  at  the  top,"  she  said,  "  but 
I  am  glad  they  didn't.  What  a  great  city  it  is !  " 

"  And  if  one  could  see  the  little  town  it  was  twenty 
years  ago ! " 

He  would  not  stay  to  supper — he  did  sometimes.  He 
wanted  to  be  alone,  to  disentangle  his  tumultuous 
thoughts,  and  wonder  if  this  thing  that  had  swept  over 
him  was  the  romance  of  love. 

The  next  fortnight  was  very  full.  They  went  over 
to  Alcantraz  to  view  the  foundations  for  the  new 
fortress.  They  went  up  to  Mare's  Island,  where,  in 
days  to  come,  was  to  be  the  splendid  navy  yard,  and 
then  on  a  day's  excursion  down  the  bay.  There  was 
no  railroad  all  along  the  coast  line,  though  it  was  talked 
of.  And  after  a  little  they  left  the  shipping  and  the 
business  behind  them.  All  along  were  little  clusters 
of  houses  that  were  some  day  to  be  thriving  cities. 
Then  long  stretches  of  field  where  sheep  were  brows- 
ing, the  wheat  and  oats  having  been  cut  long  before, 
clumps  of  timber  reaching  back  to  the  mountain 
ridge,  clothed  in  a  curious  half  shade  from  the  slanting 
sun. 

They  left  the  boat  at  the  little  cove,  and  found  a  fine 
level  where  they  spread  out  the  luncheon,  and  decorated 
it  with  flowers,  wild  geranium,  or  rather  geraniums 
growing  wild,  some  of  it  in  tall  trees.  Vines  creeping 
everywhere,  grapes  ripening,  figs  and  fruits  of  various 


222    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

kinds,  that  later,  under  cultivation,  were  to  be  the 
marvels  of  the  world. 

Isabel  and  her  betrothed,  Olive  and  a  young  lieu- 
tenant, were  chaperoned  by  Mrs.  Personette.  Mrs. 
Savedra,  the  governess,  and  all  the  children,  with  the 
two  from  "  the  Hill,"  and  Isabel's  dearest  friend  and 
chosen  first  bridesmaid.  And  now  Olive  cared  very 
little  for  her  cousin,  if  he  was  a  handsome  young  man. 
He  was  going  away,  and  she  would  be  married  before 
his  return,  then  he  was  too  much  of  a  student,  although 
an  elegant  dancer.  So  he  could  well  be  apportioned  to 
his  sister  and  Laverne,  neither  in  the  realm  of  real 
womanhood,  or  society. 

They  sailed  up  the  western  side  of  the  bay,  follow- 
ing some  of  the  indentations,  and  in  the  clear  air  the 
Pacific  did  not  seem  so  far  away.  The  elders  had 
enjoyed  the  converse  with  each  other.  The  young 
people  were  merry,  not  even  the  lovers  were  unduly 
sentimental.  Mrs.  Savedra  watched  her  daughter  and 
noted  a  great  improvement. 

"If  we  could  have  Miss  Holmes  and  Laverne  all 
the  time,"  she  thought. 


CHAPTER  XV 

THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH 

THEY  went  to  wish  Victor  bon  voyage.  Laverne  was 
learning  to  play  on  the  guitar,  and  another  event  hap- 
pened to  interest  her  very  much.  Mr.  Chadsey  had 
used  his  influence  to  obtain  a  position  of  first  mate  on 
a  vessel  bound  for  Shanghai  for  Joseph  Hudson,  who 
was  expected  in  daily  with  his  wife.  No  word  had 
come  from  the  Estenegas.  The  two  children  had  been 
sent  to  Monterey,  the  old  house  dismantled,  and  now 
swallowed  up  by  the  fine  street  that  would  some  day 
make  a  great  driveway.  For  anything  else  the  world 
might  have  swallowed  them  up. 

Mrs.  Hudson  had  been  quite  Americanized,  but 
was  more  deeply  in  love  than  ever.  There  was  a  cer- 
tain piquancy  and  dainty  freedom  that  was  very  at- 
tractive, quite  unlike  her  former  stiffness.  She  was 
not  afraid  to  go  anywhere  with  Jose  now — to  the  very 
ends  of  the  earth  if  there  was  need. 

Captain  Blarcom  was  delighted  to  secure  the  services 
of  so  trusty  a  man  and  good  seaman  as  Joseph  Hudson 
for  his  first  mate.  Being  a  trading  vessel,  they  might 
be  gone  two  years  or  more. 

"  I  shall  send  mamma  a  letter,  and  tell  her  the  whole 
story/'  said  Carmen.  "  I  have  been  so  happy  I  think 
she  will  soften  her  anger  and  not  curse  me  as  mothers 

223 


224    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

sometimes  do.  And  perhaps,  when  I  come  back,  she 
may  admit  me  to  her  again,  since  I  was  married  law- 
fully and  by  a  priest  of  our  Holy  Church.  For  in 
quiet  moments  one  longs  for  the  mother  of  all  one's 
earlier  years.  Only  the  life  here  is  so  much  broader 
and  earnest,  and  every  one  seems  working  to  some  end, 
not  trifles  that  become  monotonous." 

"  Yes,"  Miss  Holmes  returned,  "  I  should  write  by 
all  means." 

They  kept  her  very  close;  indeed,  she  was  rather 
afraid  to  venture  down  in  the  town.  And  at  last,  the 
ship  was  laden  and  ready,  and  another  friend  went 
out  of  Laverne's  life  for  a  while  at  least. 

Nearly  a  year  later  they  heard  the  sequel  of  the 
Estenegas'  fortunes.  Pascuel  Estenega  had  been  most 
savagely  angry  that  this  young  bride  should  have 
slipped  out  of  his  reach,  and  left  no  clew.  He  blamed 
the  Convent  Superior,  he  threatened  vengeance  on  any 
daring  lover  who  had  circumvented  him.  But  no  lover 
or  maiden  was  found,  they  had  covered  their  flight  so 
securely.  He  grew  more  and  more  ill-tempered,  until 
hardly  a  servant  would  accept  a  position  with  him. 
And  on  one  occasion,  for  some  trifling  fault,  he  had 
beaten  his  coachman  so  severely  that  he  himself  had 
fallen  into  a  fit,  and  never  recovered  consciousness, 
dying  a  few  days  after.  Then  the  Senora  and  her 
daughters  had  gone  to  care  for  the  elder  man,  who  had 
been  made  quite  ill  from  the  shock. 

Isabel  Personette's  marriage  was  one  of  the  events 
of  the  early  season.  Even  Major  Barnard  honored  the 
occasion  with  his  presence,  and  the  younger  military 
men  were  in  their  most  notable  array.  There  was  an 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH  225 

elegant  reception  afterward,  and  Olive  was  in  her  glory 
as  the  only  Miss  Personette.  Howard's  bent  was  me- 
chanical, and  his  father  presently  admitted  that  he 
had  chosen  wisely. 

Indeed,  there  was  much  call  for  ability  in  every  di- 
rection. A  railroad  had  been  projected  to  Sacramento. 
Congress  had  established  a  line  of  mail  steamers  be- 
tween San  Francisco  and  Shanghai.  Between  the  city 
and  the  Hawaiian  Islands  there  was  frequent  communi- 
cation. Coal  was  being  brought  now  from  Belling- 
ham  Bay,  gas  was  furnished  about  the  city,  there  were 
rows  of  handsome  dwellings.  The  new  Merchants' 
Exchange  was  begun,  the  Custom  House  would  be 
massive  and  beautiful.  The  shipping  and  mercantile 
part  of  the  city  seemed  to  settle  itself  about  Clark's 
Point,  on  account  of  the  great  advantages  it  offered  for 
wharves. 

Then  there  were  several  fine  theatres  and  a  large 
music  hall,  erected  by  a  Mr.  Henry  Meiggs,  where 
people  of  the  more  quiet  and  intellectual  order  could 
patronize  concerts,  oratorios,  and  lectures.  Private 
balls  were  quite  the  thing,  and  people  struggled  to  get 
within  the  charmed  circle,  where  an  invitation  could 
be  secured. 

If  the  little  girl  had  lost  one  friend,  two  came  in 
his  place.  Howard  Personette  constituted  himself  her 
knight  when  they  met  at  any  gathering,  and  brought 
them  tickets  for  concerts,  and  new  books  or  maga- 
zines, when  he  found  Miss  Holmes  was  much  inter- 
ested in  them.  There  was  indeed  a  library  associa- 
tion that  readers  found  very  useful,  and  the  daily 
papers  were  good  news  purveyors. 


226     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Richard  Folsom  felt  he  had  something  of  a  claim  on 
her  friendship,  and  was  importuning  them  both  to 
come  to  dinner  and  go  to  some  entertainment. 

"You  show  the  result  of  your  quiet  life  and  free- 
dom from  care,"  Mrs.  Folsom  said  to  Miss  Holmes. 
"  You're  younger  looking  to-day  than  when  we  met  on 
shipboard.  I  half  envy  you  your  easy  time,  and  I 
occasionally  wonder  if  the  money  one  piles  up  is  worth 
the  hard  work  and  anxiety.  Only  I  had  a  son  to  look 
after  and  place  in  the  world.  He  was  crazy  to  go  to 
the  gold  fields,  but  I  think  he  saw  enough  at  the  Daw- 
sons.  It's  hard  work  to  keep  a  boy  from  going  to  the 
bad  in  a  place  like  this,  but  Dick  has  grown  up  into  a 
pretty  nice  fellow.  Now,  if  he  can  only  marry  a  sensi- 
ble girl,  one  of  the  home  kind,  who  isn't  all  for  show 
and  pleasure!  I  wouldn't  mind  if  she  hadn't  any- 
thing but  her  wedding  clothes.  An  early  marriage 
steadies  a  fellow." 

But  Dick  wasn't  thinking  particularly  about  mar- 
riage. He  couldn't  have  told  just  why  he  liked  to 
climb  Telegraph  Hill  an  hour  or  so  before  sundown  and 
chat  a  while,  bringing  some  rare  fruit,  or  a  new  kind  of 
flower,  and  have  a  talk  and  a  ramble  about.  There 
were  girls  that  were  lots  more  fun,  girls  who  jumped 
at  a  chance  for  a  drive  behind  his  fine  trotter,  Hero, 
and  who  didn't  even  disdain  the  Sunday  drive  to  the 
races.  Miss  Holmes  never  went  to  these. 

Sometimes  of  a  Sunday  they  all  went  over  to  Oak- 
lands.  Mr.  Savedra  was  much  interested  in  the  quaint, 
intelligent  man  who  was  not  only  making  a  reputation 
for  honesty  and  fair  dealing,  but  fortune  as  well.  The 
place  was  so  lovely  and  restful. 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH  227 

The  agricultural  resources  of  the  outlying  places 
were  beginning  to  be  appreciated.  Gardens  and  farms 
were  found  to  be  largely  profitable  since  people  must 
be  fed.  Fruit,  too,  could  be  improved  upon  and  bring 
in  abundant  returns. 

After  several  conversations  with  Miss  Holmes,  it 
was  deemed  advisable  to  have  an  English  governess, 
since  French  and  Spanish  were  as  native  tongues  to  the 
children.  Isola  was  improving  in  health,  but  quite 
backward  for  her  age,  except  for  her  really  wonderful 
gift  in  music. 

"  I  can't  seem  to  make  up  my  mind  to  send  either 
of  them  away,"  she  said  to  Miss  Holmes.  "  We  miss 
Victor  so  much.  And  a  mother's  joy  centres  largely  in 
her  children.  I  could  not  live  without  them.  If  I 
could  find  some  one  like  you." 

"  There  are  some  still  better  adapted  to  the  under- 
taking than  I  should  be,"  Miss  Holmes  returned 
with  a  half  smile.  "  I  sometimes  feel  that  I  have 
been  out  of  the  world  of  study  so  long,  that  I  am  old- 
fashioned." 

"  That  is  what  I  like.  The  modern  unquiet  flurry 
and  ferment  annoys  me.  And  pleasure  continually. 
As  if  there  were  no  finer  graces  to  life,  no  composure, 
nothing  but  dress  and  going  about.  And  you  have 
made  such  a  charming  child  of  Miss  Laverne.  How 
pretty  she  grows." 

And  now  she  was  growing  tall  rapidly.  Miss 
Holmes  wondered  occasionally  what  would  happen 
in  a  year  or  two,  if,  indeed,  the  idea  of  travel  was  a 
settled  purpose.  Mr.  Chadsey  seldom  spoke  of  it,  ex- 
cept to  the  child.  He  was  very  much  engrossed  with 


228     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

his  business.  But  presently  she  would  need  different 
environment.  She  could  not  always  remain  a  little 
girl.  And  she  was  pretty  with  a  kind  of  modest  fair- 
ness that  had  an  attractive  spirituality  in  it,  yet  it  did 
not  savor  of  convent  breeding.  It  was  the  old  New 
England  type.  She  seemed  to  take  so  little  from  her 
surroundings,  she  kept  so  pure  to  the  standard. 

They  were  at  Mrs.  Folsom's  to  dinner  one  day. 
Uncle  Jason  had  found  it  necessary  to  be  away  late  on 
business,  and  would  come  for  them.  He  did  not  quite 
like  to  leave  them  alone  in  Pablo's  care,  though  Bruno 
was  a  good  keeper.  But  an  evil-disposed  person  might 
shoot  the  dog.  He  began  to  realize  that  it  was  more 
exposed  up  on  the  hill  now  that  there  were  so  many 
rough  workmen  about.  Another  year  of  it,  and 
then 

They  had  a  delightful  little  dinner  in  a  "  tea  room," 
there  was  a  great  deal  of  coming  and  going  in  the  large 
dining  room.  And  Mrs.  Folsom  said : 

"  I'm  going  to  ask  a  guest  in  to  share  your  com- 
pany. She's  rather  lonely,  as  her  husband  is  away 
on  some  business.  They  have  been  here  a  fortnight 
or  so.  Laverne  will  like  to  hear  her  talk.  She's  been 
most  all  over." 

So  she  brought  in  Mrs.  Westbury,  and  introduced 
her. 

"  I  hope  I  haven't  intruded,"  the  newcomer  said,  in 
a  peculiarly  attractive  voice.  In  a  young  girl  it  would 
have  been  pronounced  winsome.  "  I  have  been  taking 
some  meals  in  my  own  room ;  I  tired  of  going  to  the 
public  table  when  Mr.  Westbury  was  not  here.  But 
I  do  get  so  lonely.  I  generally  go  with  him,  but  this 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH          229 

was  up  to  the  mines,  where  the  roughness  and  wicked- 
ness of  the  whole  world  congregates,  I  believe." 

"  You  are  quite  welcome,"  Miss  Holmes  replied, 
with  a  certain  New  England  reserve  in  her  voice. 

"You  came  from  the  East?"  with  an  appreciative 
smile,  as  if  that  was  in  her  favor. 

"  From  Boston ;  yes."  Miss  Holmes  was  always 
proud  of  that. 

"  And  I  from  southern  New  Hampshire ;  we're 
not  so  very  far  apart.  I  married  Mr.  Westbury  in 
New  York,  but  we  have  been  about — almost  every- 
where," in  a  tired  voice.  "  I  had  wanted  to  travel, 
and  I've  had  it." 

Laverne's  eyes  kindled.  "  And  were  you  abroad  ?  " 
she  asked  rather  timidly. 

"  Well — yes,"  smiling.  "  I've  lived  longest  in  Lon- 
don. And  there's  been  Paris  and  Berlin,  and,  oh,  ever 
so  many  German  towns,  where  they're  queer  and  slow, 
and  wouldn't  risk  a  dollar  a  month  if  they  could  make 
ten  by  it.  Most  of  the  Eastern  cities,  too,  but  I  think 
this  is  the  strangest,  wildest,  most  bewildering  place 
I  ever  was  in ;  as  if  the  whole  town  was  seething  and 
had  no  time 'to  settle." 

"  I  think  that  is  it.  You  see,  we  are  used  to  age 
in  our  New  England  towns ;  permanent  habits,  and  all 
that.  Yet,  one  would  hardly  believe  so  much  could 
have  been  done  towards  a  great  city  in  a  dozen 
years." 

Mrs.  Westbury  raised  her  brows.  "  Is  it  as  young 
as  that?" 

"  And  we  have  people  from  everywhere  who  will 
presently  settle  into  a  phase  of  Americanism,  different 


230    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

from  all  other  cities.  Most  places  begin  poor  and  ac- 
cumulate slowly.  San  Francisco  has  begun  rich." 

"  And  the  newly  rich  hardly  know  what  to  do  with 
their  money.  You  have  some  fine  buildings,  and  queer 
old  ones,  that  look  as  if  they  had  stood  hundreds 
of  years." 

There  was  something  peculiar  in  the  voice,  and  that 
had  been  born  with  the  girl,  and  had  needed  very  little 
training.  It  had  an  appealing  quality;  it  indicated 
possibilities,  that  fixed  it  in  one's  memory.  She  might 
have  suffered,  had  strange  experiences,  but  one  deeply 
versed  in  such  matters  would  have  said  that  she  had 
come  short  of  entire  happiness,  that  hers  was  not  the 
tone  of  rich  content.  She  had  a  delicate  enunciation 
that  charmed  you;  she  passed  from  one  subject  to 
another  with  a  grace  that  never  wearied  the  lis- 
tener. 

Mrs.  Folsom  came  in  to  see  if  all  was  agreeable. 
She  had  taken  a  fancy  to  Mrs.  Westbury,  she  had  such 
an  air  of  refinement  and  good-breeding.  Mr.  West- 
bury  seemed  a  fine,  hearty,  wholesome  man,  prosper- 
ous yet  no  braggart.  That  was  apt  to  be  the  fault  out 
here.  He  had  commended  his  wife  to  Mrs.  Folsom's 
special  care,  and  paid  liberally  in  advance,  besides  de< 
positing  money  at  a  banker's  for  his  wife's  needs. 

They  were  having  a  pleasant,  social  time.  When 
the  dinner  was  through  they  retired  to  Mrs.  Folsom's 
private  parlor.  In  the  large  one  there  were  card  play- 
ing and  piano  drumming  and  flirtations  going  on. 

Perhaps  Mrs.  Westbury  did  most  of  the  talking, 
but  she  made  sundry  halts  to  give  her  listeners  oppor- 
tunity to  answer,  and  she  never  seemed  aggressive.  La- 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH          231 

verne  listened,  charmed  over  the  delightful  experi- 
ences. 

She  had  learned  that  these  were  more  attractive  than 
one's  troubles  or  perplexities,  and  she  had  set  out  to 
be  a  charming  woman.  There  was  only  one  terror  to 
her  life  now — she  was  growing  so  much  older  every 
year.  She  had  kept  her  youth  uncommonly,  but  alas, 
no  arts  could  bring  the  genuine  article  back. 

Some  lives  go  purling  along  like  a  simple  stream  that 
encounters  nothing  much  larger  than  pebbles  in  its 
course,  others  wind  in  and  out,  tumble  over  rocks, 
widen  and  narrow,  and  take  in  every  variety.  She 
had  been  a  mill  hand,  pretty,  graceful,  modest.  After 
having  been  a  widower  two  years  and  married  to  a 
woman  older  than  himself,  a  bustling,  busy  worker 
who  lived  mostly  in  her  kitchen,  Mr.  Carr,  the  mill 
owner,  married  this  pretty  girl,  installed  her  in  the  big, 
gloomy  mansion,  and  made  her  the  envy  of  the  small 
town  where  many  of  the  families  were  related  to  him. 
He  had  some  peculiar  views  in  this  marriage.  He 
meant  to  rule,  not  to  be  ruled ;  he  hoped  there  would 
be  children  to  heir  every  dollar  of  his  estate.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  the  first,  but  in  the  twelve  years  there  were 
no  children.  She  was  miserable  and  lonely;  there 
were  times  when  she  would  have  preferred  the  old 
mill  life.  Her  only  solace  came  to  be  reading.  There 
was  a  fine  library,  histories,  travels,  and  old  English 
novels,  and  it  really  was  a  liberal  education. 

Then  Mr.  Carr  died  suddenly,  having  made  a  will 
that  tied  up  everything  just  as  far  as  the  law  allowed. 
She  was  to  live  in  the  house,  a  brother  and  a  cousin 
were  to  run  the  mill  on  a  salary  that  was  made  depen- 


232    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

dent  on  the  profits.  A  shrewd  lawyer  discovered  flaws, 
and  it  was  broken.  The  heirs  paid  her  very  well  to 
step  out  of  it  all  and  have  no  litigation.  She  was  ex- 
tremely glad.  She  took  her  money  and  went  to  New 
York,  and  for  three  years  had  a  really  enjoyable  time. 

She  was  thirty-seven  when  she  married  David  West- 
bury,  who  was  thirty-five.  She  set  herself  back  five 
years  and  no  one  would  have  questioned.  After  several 
years  of  ill-luck,  fortune  had  smiled  on  him  and  what- 
ever he  touched  was  a  success.  He  bought  up  some 
valuable  patents  and  exploited  them,  he  formed  stock 
companies,  he  had  been  sent  abroad  as  an  agent,  he 
was  shrewd,  sharp,  long-headed,  and  not  especially 
tricky.  Honesty  paid  in  the  long  run.  And  now  she 
had  enjoyed  seven  happy,  prosperous  years.  She  had 
proved  an  admirable  co-partner,  she  had  a  way  of  at- 
tracting men  that  he  wanted  to  deal  with  and  not 
lowering  her  dignity  by  any  real  overt  act.  Her  flirta- 
tions never  reached  off-color.  But  of  late  she  felt  she 
had  lost  a  little  of  her  charm.  She  was  not  inclined  to 
play  the  motherly  to  young  men,  nor  to  flatter  old  men. 
Those  between  went  to  the  charming  young  girls. 

"  Oh,  dear,  I'm  so  sorry  to  go,"  Laverne  exclaimed, 
when  word  was  sent  up  that  Mr.  Chadsey  was  waiting 
for  them.  "  I've  had  such  a  splendid  time  listening  to 
you.  It's  been  like  travelling.  And  to  see  so  many 
celebrated  people  and  places,  and  queens." 

"  I'm  glad  you  enjoyed  it.  I  hope  you  will  come 
again.  Oh,  I  like  you  very  much,"  and  she  leaned  over 
and  kissed  her,  though  she  was  not  an  effusive  woman. 

Jason  Chadsey  had  been  sorely  bothered.  A  young 
fellow  he  had  had  high  hopes  of  had  proved  recreant 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH  233 

and  gone  off  with  considerable  money.  He  had  been 
straightening  accounts,  and  trying  to  decide  whether  to 
set  the  officers  on  his  track  or  let  him  go — to  do  the  trick 
over  again  on  some  one  else.  So  he  only  half  listened, 
glad  to  have  his  darling  gay  and  full  of  delight.  He 
really  did  not  notice  when  she  said  "  Mrs.  Westbury." 

That  lady  had  a  talk  with  Dick  the  next  morning. 
He  thought  she  was  "  quite  nice  for  an  old  girl,"  so  far 
off  does  youth  remove  itself.  Could  she  get  a  carriage 
and  ask  Miss  Holmes  and  her  young  charge  to  go  out 
with  her? 

"  Why,  I'll  take  you,  ma'am,  and  be  glad  to.  Oh,  yes, 
we're  such  old  friends.  It's  odd,  but  we  may  be  called 
old  settlers,  really.  A  party  of  us  came  round  the 
Horn  just  at  the  last  of  '51.  She  was  such  a  little 
thing,  the  only  child  on  board.  And  we  all  stayed  and 
are  settled  just  about  here.  Tell  you  what  I'll  do. 
We'll  stop  at  school  for  her  and  take  her  home,  and 
then  go  on." 

"  But,  Miss  Holmes  "—hesitatingly—"  she  ought  to 
have  notice,"  smiling  deprecatingly. 

"Oh,  that  won't  count.  You  just  take  my  word, 
Laverne  will  be  glad  enough." 

He  was  glad  enough.  He  had  a  vague  idea  some- 
how that  Miss  Holmes  rather  fenced  him  out.  This 
time  he  would  have  Laverne  on  the  front  seat  with 
him.  Not  that  he  really  was  in  love  with  her  now, 
but  in  time  to  come 

His  plan  worked  admirably,  Laverne  was  delighted 
and  greeted  her  new  friend  cordially.  They  drove 
around  a  little  at  first,  then  up  to  the  hill,  and  now  the 
road  was  broken  up  unless  one  went  a  long  way  round. 


334    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  I  can  run  up,"  Laverne  said  eagerly.  "  I  won't  be 
many  minutes,"  and  she  sprang  out. 

"  They're  going  to  lower  this  hill,"  Dick  explained. 
"  They  started  it  once,  but  land !  only  a  goat  can  climb 
it  now." 

"  Say  a  deer  or  an  antelope,"  with  a  light  laugh,  as 
both  watched  the  child  threading  her  way  in  a  zig-zag 
fashion,  the  shortest. 

"  It  must  be  awfully  lonely  up  there." 

"  But  the  prospect  is  wonderful.  And  there  is 
Golden  Gate  and  the  ocean.  Still,  I  should  like  to  be 
more  with  folks,  Chadsey  doesn't  mind.  He's  a  queer 
Dick,  and  his  mind  is  all  on  making  money." 

"  She  is  his  niece.    Are  there  any  others?  " 

"  No,  I  guess  not.  I  never  heard  of  any.  All  her 
folks — family  are  dead." 

"  And  Miss  Holmes  isn't  related?  " 

"  Oh,  no." 

They  watched  and  saw  them  coming  down  pres- 
ently, but  they  took  a  better  pathway.  Miss  Holmes 
seemed  pleased  with  the  plan.  Laverne  sprang  in  be- 
side Mrs.  Westbury. 

"  Perhaps  the  ladies "    Dick  was  disappointed. 

"  I  want  to  sit  here,"  the  girl  said  rather  imperiously. 
"  And  you  know  you  won't  let  me  drive." 

"  You'd  be  like  that  fellow  you  told  of  driving  the 
chariot  to  the  sun,  I'm  afraid.  I  don't  dare  trust  any 
one  except  Nervy,  the  jockey,  to  ride  her.  It  was  im- 
mense on  Sunday.  You  saw  that  she  won.  Mother's 
against  having  me  enter  her,  and  I  don't  do  it  often. 
But  jimini!  I'd  like  to.  And  ride  her  myself." 

Mrs.  Westbury  had  seen  the  Derby,  where  all  the 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH          235 

style  of  London  went,  and  fortunes  were  lost  and  won. 
Dick  was  fascinated  by  the  account. 

They  turned  oceanward.  Sandhills,  stones,  patches 
of  verdure  where  one  least  expected,  tangled  depths  of 
laurels  and  alder,  manzanita,  vines  scrambling  every- 
where and  such  a  wealth  of  bloom,  then  barren  rocks 
and  sand.  Now  you  could  see  the  glorious  ocean,  the 
great  flocks  of  sea  birds  swirling,  diving,  flying  so 
straight  and  swiftly  that  not  a  wing  moved.  Cries  of 
all  kinds,  then  from  the  landward  side  a  strange,  clear 
song  that  seemed  to  override  the  other.  Seals  thrust- 
ing up  their  shiny  black  heads  and  diving  again,  sun- 
ning themselves  lazily  on  the  rocks. 

"  Is  there  another  country  in  the  world  like  this  ?  " 
exclaimed  Mrs.  Westbury.  "  And  all  down  the  coast ! 
I  stayed  at  Monterey  before.  We  crossed  the  Isthmus 
and  came  up.  It  is  wonderful." 

Dick  kept  them  out  quite  late  to  see  the  gorgeous 
sunset,  and  then  would  fain  have  taken  them  home  with 
him.  Laverne  had  her  hands  full  of  flowers  that  she 
had  never  seen  before,  and  her  eyes  were  lovely  in  their 
delight. 

"  I  shall  be  spoiled.  I  shall  want  to  see  you  every 
day.  I  wish  there  was  no  school,"  Mrs.  Westbury 
said.  "  Oh,  can't  I  come  and  visit  you  ?  "  and  the 
entreaty  in  her  voice  would  have  won  a  harder 
heart. 

"  Our  home  is  so  very  simple,  and  now  the  streets 
are  in  such  a  state,  almost  impassable.  But  if  you  have 
the  courage  we  shall  be  glad  to  see  you,"  responded 
Miss  Holmes,  curiously  won. 

"  I  shall  come,  most  assuredly,  although  I  have  rather 


236    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

begged  the  invitation.  But  you  are  so  different  from 
the  women  of  the  Hotel.  I  do  tire  of  their  frivolity. 
I  even  go  out  alone  to  walk,  though  at  first  I  was 
afraid.  Could  I  meet  my  little  friend  at  her  school  and 
come  up  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  she  will  be  glad  to  pilot  you." 

It  was  late  that  evening  when  Jason  Chadsey  came 
home.  He  looked  tired  and  worn.  Indeed,  the  farther 
he  went  in  the  matter  the  worse  it  appeared.  And  the 
culprit  had  made  his  escape.  So  there  was  nothing 
to  do  but  to  pocket  the  loss. 

"  Shall  I  make  you  a  cup  of  tea  ?  "  inquired  Miss 
Holmes. 

"  If  you  please — yes.  Then  I  shall  go  straight  to 
bed ;  I  must  be  up  betimes  in  the  morning.  Is  Laverne 
in  bed?" 

She  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

Friday  Mrs.  Westbury  sent  a  little  note  to  Laverne, 
asking  if  Saturday  would  do  for  the  visit.  Every  other 
Saturday  the  child  spent  at  Oaklands.  So  it  was  the 
next  week  when  the  visit  was  made.  She  stopped  at 
the  school  for  Laverne,  and  Dick  Folsom  was  to  come 
for  her  in  the  evening. 

"  It  is  very  queer,"  she  declared,  laughing.  "  It  seems 
a  little  like  Swiss  chalets  built  in  the  mountain  sides 
where  you  go  up  by  wooden  steps.  Only — the  sand. 
I  should  think  you  would  slip  away." 

"  They  are  not  going  to  take  another  street  until  next 
year.  Of  course,  we  shall  move ;  I  think  down  in  the 
town.  But  it  has  been  so  delightful  up  here.  And 
it  did  not  seem  so  queer  at  first.  But  since  they  have 
been  putting  up  such  splendid  buildings  in  the  town, 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH  237 

and  making  such  fine  streets,  it  has  given  us  a  wild 
appearance.  Presently  there  will  not  be  anything  of 
Old  San  Francisco  left.  A  good  part  of  it  has  burned 
down  already." 

Miss  Holmes  welcomed  her  guest  warmly  and 
brought  her  a  glass  of  delightful  fruit  sherbet.  The 
place  was  plain  enough,  and  yet  it  gave  evidence  of  re- 
fined and  womanly  tastes  in  its  adornments.  And  the 
clustering  vines  and  bloom  made  a  complete  bower 
of  it. 

Mrs.  Westbury  espied  the  guitar.  She  was  really 
glad  there  was  no  piano.  Was  Laverne  musical? 

"  I've  been  learning  the  guitar.  And  I  sing  some. 
But  you  should  hear  my  friend  at  Oaklands.  Her 
voice  is  most  beautiful.  If  mine  was  not  a  contralto 
I  shouldn't  venture  to  sing  with  her." 

"  You  don't  look  like  a  contralto.  A  pure  blonde 
should  be  a  soprano." 

"  Perhaps  I'm  not  a  very  pure  blonde,"  with  a  merry 
light  in  her  eyes.  "  I've  heard  concert  singers  who 
could  not  compare  with  Miss  Savedra,  but  her  people 
would  be  shocked  at  the  idea  of  her  singing  in  public. 
I  was  telling  her  about  you.  We  are  great  friends. 
She  is  odd  in  some  ways  and  foreign ;  they  are  Span- 
ish people,  but  I  love  her  better  than  any  girl  I 
know." 

"  And  this  Olive  ?  "  questioningly. 

"  Oh,  Olive.  She  took  a  great  liking  to  me  in  the 
beginning — we  were  quite  children.  She  and  the  Save- 
dras  are  cousins.  And  her  father  married  a  friend  of 
Miss  Holmes,  but  she  is  a  delightful  stepmother.  Only 
now  Olive  seems  so  much  older  and  has  lovers.  Yes, 


238    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

we  are  friends  in  a  way,  but  we  do  not  really  love  each 
other." 

"  And  you  haven't  any  lovers?  " 

"  Oh,  no."  She  flushed  at  that.  "  I  don't  want  any. 
Why,  I  am  not  through  school." 

Mrs.  Westbury  found  that  she  could  not  only  read, 
but  talk  French  and  Spanish,  and  that  she  was  being 
sensibly  educated.  But  that  was  not  the  chief  charm. 
It  was  a  simplicity  that  defied  art,  a  straightforward- 
ness that  was  gentle,  almost  deprecating,  yet  never 
swerved  from  truth,  a  sweetness  that  was  winning, 
a  manner  shy  but  quite  captivating.  And  though  she 
told  many  things  about  her  life  up  here  on  the  hill, 
there  were  no  indiscreet  or  effusive  confidences  such 
as  she  had  often  listened  to  in  young  girls. 

When  Mr.  Chadsey  met  the  guest  as  they  were  com- 
ing in  from  the  arbor,  he  simply  stared  at  the  name, 
not  realizing  that  he  had  heard  it  mentioned  before.  A 
fair,  somewhat  faded  woman,  so  well  made  up  that  she 
could  still  discount  a  few  years.  Her  attire  and  her 
jewels  betokened  comfortable  circumstances,  indeed 
wealth,  for  besides  some  fine  diamonds  she  had  two 
splendid  rubies. 

Twice  since  he  had  been  in  California  he  had  been 
startled  by  the  name.  Once  by  a  young  fellow  of  two 
or  three  and  twenty,  looking  for  a  chance  at  clerking. 
The  other  had  been  a  miserable,  disreputable  fellow, 
who  had  failed  at  mining  and  was  likely  through 
drunkenness  to  fail  at  everything  else.  He  questioned 
him  closely.  The  man  had  left  a  wife  and  family  at 
Vincennes,  and  would  be  only  too  glad  to  get  back  to 
them.  He  had  been  born  and  raised  in  Indiana.  So 


THE  ENCHANTMENT  OF  YOUTH          239 

he  had  helped  him  on  his  way,  praying  that  he  might 
reach  there.  And  here  it  had  cropped  up  again.  It 
sent  a  shiver  through  him. 

He  questioned  the  guest  adroitly,  carefully.  She 
was  proud  of  her  husband  and  his  successes.  She  had 
met  him  in  New  York;  she  thought  him  a  native  of 
that  State. 

Surely  the  David  Westbury  he  knew  could  never 
have  had  all  this  good  fortune.  So  he  dismissed  this 
case  from  his  mind,  and  smiled  over  Laverne's  new 
friend,  who  would  be  one  of  the  transient  guests  of  the 
heart. 

Mr.  Westbury  sent  word  by  a  messenger  that  he 
would  be  detained  longer  than  he  expected.  He  hoped 
she  found  her  quarters  satisfactory,  and  that  she  would 
take  all  the  entertainment  she  could.  He  had 
struck  a  new  opening  that  would  in  all  probability 
make  a  millionaire  of  him.  When  he  returned  they 
must  go  at  once  to  London,  and  they  might  remain 
there  for  years,  since  it  was  one  of  the  places  she  liked. 

Yes,  she  did  like  it,  and  had  made  some  very  nice 
friends  there.  But — if  she  had  a  daughter  like  this 
girl  to  draw  young  men ;  she  should  always  yearn  for 
the  young  life  that  had  never  been  hers,  and  a  girl  to 
dress  beautifully,  to  take  out  driving  in  the  "  Row,"  to 
have  one  and  another  nod  to  her,  to  take  her  calling — 
that  was  the  way  mothers  did  in  England,  to  give 
dainty  parties  for  her,  to  let  her  tend  stalls  at  fairs,  to 
have  her  some  day  presented  to  the  Queen,  and  at 
last  to  marry  well.  Her  daughter  might  have  such  a 
fortune.  David  Westbury  had  been  lucky  in  a  good 
many  things  and  he  seldom  made  a  mistake. 


240    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

She  dreamed  this  over  and  over  again.  She  had 
never  cared  for  babies  or  little  children,  and  she  had 
felt  glad  there  had  been  no  children  to  tie  her  to  the 
old  New  Hampshire  town,  where  she  must  then  have 
spent  her  life.  She  had  had  so  much  more  enjoyment, 
larger  liberty,  and  oh,  worlds  more  money.  Travel- 
ling, hotels,  meeting  delightful  people.  But  now  her 
day  was  about  over.  If  there  was  a  young  blossom 
growing  up  beside  her  to  shed  a  charm  around,  to  at- 
tract, to  fill  a  house  with  gayety,  so  she  could  go 
through  with  it  all  again.  Then  lovers  and  marriage. 
She  should  want  a  pretty  girl,  one  with  a  winsome 
manner.  A  little  training  would  do  wonders  with  this 
one,  who  was  just  the  right  age  to  be  moulded  into  suc- 
cess. 

Of  course,  her  uncle  would  never  give  her  up,  and 
one  could  not  coax  her  away.  A  man's  journeying 
about  would  have  no  society  advantages.  Miss  Holmes 
was  very  nice  and  sensible,  but  there  were  some  old- 
maidish  traits.  She  was  rather  narrow.  She  really 
pitied  the  girl's  life  between  them.  It  would  lose 
the  exquisite  flavor  of  enjoyment  that  by  right  be- 
longed to  youth. 

Of  course,  all  this  was  folly.  But  she  did  like  the 
child  so  much.  And  she  wanted  a  new  adoration, 
which  she  believed  she  could  win  easily. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

IN  THE  BALANCE 

AGNES  WESTBURY  had  listened  all  the  early  part  of 
the  evening  to  her  husband's  enthusiastic  plans.  Good 
fortune  expanded  him  in  every  direction.  It  was  true 
that  quicksilver  had  been  discovered  at  Alameda,  also 
that  the  new  process  of  separating  gold  was  a  great 
saving.  Working  mines  had  been  most  extravagant 
and  wasteful.  Some  of  the  old  ones  had  been  deserted 
that  no  doubt  would  pay  again.  He  had  taken  options 
for  the  London  Company,  he  had  two  or  three  for 
himself.  Luck  had  surely  come  his  way.  Now  they 
must  leave  as  soon  as  possible. 

Had  she  enjoyed  herself?  Had  the  landlady  been 
satisfactory?  Had  she  gone  about  and  seen  much, 
made  any  pleasant  friends?  San  Francisco  was  a 
strange  and  wonderful  place.  It  had  risen  up  in  a  night, 
as  it  were.  It  was  in  the  line  of  the  Eastern  trade, 
it  would  be  the  great  mart  of  the  world.  What  was 
Congress  thinking  about  not  to  establish  a  through 
route,  but  depend  on  this  miserable  overland  accommo- 
dation for  the  crowds  who  would  come!  Its  very 
wildness  and  sublimity  outdid  Europe.  Some  day  it 
would  be  a  worldwide  attraction  for  tourists.  Such 
mountains,  such  a  range  of  climate,  such  a  profusion  of 
everything,  such  a  seacoast  line. 

241 


242    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

David  Westbury  was  pacing  up  and  down  the  apart- 
ment with  a  light,  springy  step.  He  had  been  in  his 
youth  a  tall  and  rather  lanky  down-easter.  Now  he 
had  filled  out,  was  fine  and  robust,  with  a  good  clear 
skin.  In  those  days  his  nose  had  been  too  large,  his 
mouth  wide,  with  rather  loose  lips.  Now  the  rest  of 
his  face  had  rounded  out,  his  lips  had  grown  firm-set, 
decisive,  and  his  mustache  was  trimmed  in  the  latest 
style.  Just  at  the  corners  of  his  mouth  his  beard  had 
begun  to  whiten  a  little,  his  lightish  hair  had  turned 
darker.  Prosperity  had  made  a  man  of  him.  He  had 
grown  sharp,  far-sighted,  but  he  had  an  amiability  that 
was  more  than  pleasing — attractive.  He  had  learned 
to  use  his  own  phrase,  "  not  to  buck  against  the 
world."  Where  he  had  been  rather  credulous  and  lax 
in  early  life,  he  had  become  wary  and  shrewd,  and 
did  not  hesitate  if  he  could  turn  the  best  of  the  deal 
his  way. 

"Yes,  she  had  enjoyed  herself  very  much.  Mrs. 
Folsom  and  her  son  had  been  most  attentive,  there  had 
been  some  star  players  at  the  theatres  and  a  noted 
singer  or  two.  She  had  met  some  nice  people,  there 
was  a  good  deal  of  crudeness  and  display,  but  on  the 
whole  it  was  very  fair  for  a  new  place.  And  some 
odd,  quaint  individuals,  some  really  refined  women 
from  Boston,  and  such  a  charming  young  girl  that 
she  coveted;  she  wished  she  had  her  for  a  daugh- 
ter." 

"  That's  a  queer  wish ;  too,  I  thought  you  were  not 
fond  of  children." 

"Well,  I  am  not  generally.  I'd  like  them  full- 
grown,  and  attractive,"  laughing. 


IN  THE  BALANCE  243 

"  I  wouldn't  mind  a  fine,  upright,  sober,  honorable 
son  that  one  could  trust  in  all  things,  but  they  are 
scarce." 

"David,  what  will  you  do  with  your  money?" 

"Well,"— he  laughed  a  little.  "Let  me  see— en- 
dow a  hospital  perhaps,  or  build  a  college.  But  we 
must  have  all  the  pleasure  we  desire." 

She  gave  a  little  sigh. 

"  About  this  girl,  now  ?  "  he  queried. 

"  She's  the  dearest,  sweetest,  simplest  body,  not 
foolish,  not  sentimental,  but  like  water  in  a  ground 
glass  globe,  if  you  can  understand.  She's  one  of  the 
old  settlers,  and  that's  laughable,  came  in  '51,  round 
the  Horn,  from  Maine,  I  believe,  with  an  uncle  and 
some  friends.  He  is  a  Mr.  Chadsey,  and  keeps  a  big 
warehouse,  shipping  stores  and  what  not,  and  is,  I  be- 
lieve, making  a  fortune — to  take  her  journeying  round 
the  world." 

"  Chadsey,"  he  said  thoughtfully.  "  Chadsey.  What 
is  the  girl's  name  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Chadsey,  too." 

"  Ah !  "  nodding,  yet  he  drew  his  brows  a  little, 

"  I  suppose  he  was  her  mother's  brother.  Her 
mother  died  just  before  they  came  out  here." 

He  made  a  brief  calculation.  "Yes,  it  was  in  '51 
that  she  died.  And  Jason  Chadsey  was  there, 
he  took  the  little  girl  away.  At  Boston  all  trace  was 
lost,  though  he  had  not  searched  very  exhaustively  for 
her.  He  had  a  feeling  that  she  would  be  well  cared 
for. 

David  Westbury  glanced  at  his  wife.  Her  elbow 
was  on  the  window  sill  and  her  cheek  rested  on  her 


244     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

hand.  There  was  a  touch  of  sadness  in  her  face,  a 
longing  in  her  eyes.  He  loved  her  more  now  than 
when  he  had  married  her.  She  was  a  little  exacting 
then.  She  had  been  very  fond  of  pleasure,  theatres, 
balls,  fine  dinners  at  hotels,  journeys,  dress,  jewels. 
He  enjoyed  them,  too,  with  the  zest  that  generally 
comes  to  one  who  has  been  deprived  of  them  in  early 
life,  and  whose  training  has  been  to  consider  them 
reprehensible. 

They  had  taken  their  fill.  Now  his  mind  was  all 
on  business ;  he  liked  to  surmount  difficulties,  to  bring 
success  out  of  chaos.  He  had  to  leave  her  alone  a  good 
deal.  She  used  to  find  entertainment  in  conquering  the 
admiration  of  young  men,  but  these  last  few  years 
she  had  found  herself  less  attractive,  except  as  she 
listened  to  their  love  troubles  and  begged  her  for  ad- 
vice. He  did  not  understand  this  at  all,  only  he  felt 
he  had  an  engrossing  business  and  she  had  nothing  but 
looking  on. 

"  You  like  this  girl  very  much  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  can't  tell  just  why,  except  that  she  is  so 
honestly  sweet,  so  ready  to  give  of  her  best  without 
expecting  any  return.  Do  you  remember  Lady  West- 
mere  and  her  two  daughters?  They  were  fine  girls 
and  devoted  to  her.  I  had  not  considered  it  much  be- 
fore, but  I  understood  then  what  an  interest  and  solace 
a  young  girl  of  the  right  sort  would  be.  You  know 
I  had  Gladys  Wynne  to  stay  a  month  with  me  when 
you  were  over  to  Paris.  I  had  half  a  mind  to  engage 
her  as  a  sort  of  companion,  and  she  would  have  been 
glad  enough  to  come.  But  I  found  she  had  some  mean, 
underhand  tricks,  and  was  looking  out  for  her  own  ad- 


IN  THE  BALANCE  245 

vantage  while  she  was  trying  to  persuade  you  that  it 
was  yours.  And  she  told  little  fibs.  So  I  gave  up  the 
idea.  A  maid,  you  know,  is  no  company,  though  one 
must  have  her  abroad.  But  we  couldn't  coax  or  kid- 
nap this  girl,"  and  she  sighed  in  the  midst  of  a  sad 
smile. 

He  still  paced  up  and  down.  How  long  since  he 
had  thought  of  that  old  life.  He  had  always  said  to 
himself  that  he  had  been  a  fool  to  marry  Laverne  Dal- 
las, but  he  had  taken  a  good  deal  of  satisfaction  then  in 
"  cutting  out  "  Jason  Chadsey.  What  fools  young  fel- 
lows were! 

"  Agnes,"  he  began,  "  before  I  married  you  I  did  not 
tell  you  my  whole  story.  I  said  I  had  lost  my  wife 
and  child,  that  ill  luck  had  dragged  me  through  those 
early  years.  She  had  another  lover,  Jason  Chadsey, 
a  seafaring  man,  of  whom  she  had  not  heard  in  a  long 
time,  when  she  married  me.  Some  years  later  I  was 
at  a  low  ebb  and  away,  trying  to  make  money  for  them 
as  well  as  myself.  When  I  had  a  little  success  I  went 
back.  She  was  dead  and  buried.  Chadsey  had  come 
back,  it  seems,  and  taken  the  child,  since  there  were  no 
near  relatives  to  say  him  nay.  At  Boston  I  lost  trace 
of  them." 

"  Oh,  David !  "  She  sprang  up  and  flung  both  arms 
about  him.  "  You  don't  think — this  Laverne — why, 
what  if  she  should  be  yours !  " 

"  She  came  here  late  in  '51.  Her  mother  died  early 
in  the  spring  before.  She  must  have  been  about  eight. 
Why,  it's  quite  a  romance  for  this  prosaic  world." 

"If  you  are  her  father,  you  have  the  best  right. 
Oh,  David,  I  should  love  her  and  be  so  good  to  her. 


246    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

She  should  have  everything,  and  I  would  be  so  happy. 
Oh,  you  must  see  to-morrow." 

There  was  a  hysterical  catch  in  her  voice,  and  a 
great  throb  at  her  heart. 

"  There,  don't  get  into  a  fit.  Why,  I  didn't  suppose 
you  could  care  so  much.  Yes,  I  know  you  will  be  good 
to  her.  Chadsey  may  kick  about  giving  her  up,  but 
I  doubt  if  he  took  any  steps  toward  legal  adoption.  Oh, 
I  think  there  will  not  be  any  real  trouble  unless  she 
will  not  come." 

"  But  she  ought  to  have  some  regard  for  her  father ! 
And  he  isn't  really  her  uncle  or  guardian.  Why,  it 
wouldn't  be  quite  the  thing  for  her  to  travel  round  the 
world  with  him." 

They  talked  it  over  until  their  plans  seemed  most 
reasonable.  And  then  they  wondered  at  the  strange- 
ness of  it.  He  had  no  real  compunctions  of  conscience 
about  the  past,  though  of  course  he  would  have  ac- 
cepted the  responsibility  of  his  daughter  if  he  could 
have  found  her.  He  had  a  practical  business  way  of 
looking  at  matters.  And  while  Agnes  Westbury  lay 
awake,  and  had  vague  visions,  dropping  now  and  then 
into  snatches  of  dreams,  he  slept  soundly  and  awoke 
with  a  resolve  to  settle  the  question  with  just  the  same 
purpose  as  if  he  had  resolved  to  buy  his  wife  thou- 
sands of  dollars'  worth  of  jewels. 

They  had  begun  the  necessary  sea  wall  that  was  to 
safeguard  the  piers  and  the  shipping  that  grew  more 
extensive  every  year.  Here  was  the  old  Fisherman's 
Pier,  then  steamers,  trading  vessels,  queer  foreign 
ships,  business  places  of  all  sorts,  many  of  them  quite 
dilapidated,  fringed  East  Street.  Here,  where  Clay 


IN  THE  BALANCE  147 

Street  ran  down,  almost  meeting  Sacramento,  there 
were  warehouses,  packing  houses,  boxes  and  bales  and 
general  confusion.  The  one-story  place  with  the  sign 
"  J.  Chadsey  "  over  the  wide  doorway,  not  much  hand- 
somer than  that  of  a  barn,  but  strengthened  with  iron 
bars  and  great  bolts,  had  stretched  out  and  out,  and 
now  they  were  packing  in  stores  from  the  Orient,  stores 
from  the  Isthmus,  that  were  being  unloaded  from  two 
vessels.  Jason  Chadsey  had  been  giving  orders  here 
and  there,  setting  men  at  work,  and  was  warm  and 
tired  when  word  came  that  a  gentleman  wanted  to  see 
him  in  the  office.  They  made  distinctions  in  those 
days,  even  if  the  country  was  new  and  rough. 

That  was  no  strange  summons.  He  pulled  out  his 
handkerchief,  and  wiped  the  sweat  and  grime  from  his 
face,  listened  a  moment  to  the  wrangling,  swearing, 
strange  Chinese  chatter,  songs  in  various  languages, 
then  turned  and  went  in,  hardly  able  to  see  at  first  from 
the  glitter  of  the  sun  that  had  drenched  him.  This  was 
a  place  just  now  with  two  big  desks  and  a  clerk  writing 
at  one.  The  inner  office  had  a  window  on  the  street 
side  and  two  wooden  stools,  one  dilapidated  leathern 
chair  before  another  desk. 

A  man  rose  up  and  faced  him.  A  well-dressed,  well- 
kept  man,  with  a  certain  air  of  prosperity  and  author- 
ity, and  if  he  had  any  scheme  to  exploit  it  would  no 
doubt  have  some  advantage  in  it.  But  he  was  a 
stranger. 

"  You  are  Jason  Chadsey?  "  Westbury  would  have 
known  him  anywhere.  Except  to  grow  older,  to  be 
a  little  more  wrinkled, — weatherbeaten,  he  had  always 
been, — and  his  hair  slightly  grizzled  at  the  temples,  he 


248    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

was  the  same.  There  was  honesty,  truth,  and  goodness 
in  the  face  that  had  not  changed  either. 

"Yes,"  Chadsey  replied  briefly. 

"  And  you  don't  remember  me  ?  " 

Chadsey  tried  to  consider  the  voice,  but  that  had 
grown  rounder,  fuller,  and  lost  all  the  Maine  twang. 
There  had  been  so  many  faces  between  youth  and  this 
time. 

"  Well,  I  am  David  Westbury." 

Jason  Chadsey  dropped  on  a  stool  and  stared,  then 
mopped  his  face  again,  while  a  shiver  passed  over  him 
that  seemed  to  wring  his  very  vitals,  turn  him  stone- 
cold. 

"  It's  odd  how  things  come  about."  The  man  of 
the  world  had  his  rival  at  a  disadvantage.  "  I'd  had 
runs  of  hard  luck,"  in  an  easy,  almost  indifferent  tone, 
being  where  he  could  laugh  at  the  past,  "  and  I'd  tried 
about  everything  in  vain.  I  was  too  proud  to  come 
back  to  Laverne  empty-handed.  Then,  when  I  had 
made  something,  I  turned,  hoping  to  ease  up  her  hard 
life,  and  found  she  was  dead  and  buried.  You  had  be- 
friended her;  thank  you  for  that.  But  you  took  my 
child.  I  traced  you  to  Boston.  After  that  my  search 
was  vain.  I  have  looked  over  lists  of  vessels,  thinking 
to  strike  your  name  as  captain  or  mate,  and  finally 
given  up  search,  Business  brought  me  here,  perhaps 
fate,  too,  had  a  hand  in  it.  My  wife  has  seen  and 
known  the  child,  and  already  loves  her.  I  am  grateful 
for  your  care  all  these  years,  but  I  would  rather  have 
had  her  in  my  keeping.  I  am  a  rich  man — if  I  was  a 
poor  devil  I  would  put  in  no  claim,  no  matter  how  dear 
she  was  to  me,  but  a  father  has  the  best  right." 


IN  THE  BALANCE  249 

Jason  Chadsey  rose.  For  a  moment  he  had  murder 
in  his  heart.  The  man's  evident  prosperity  and  effront- 
ery stung  him  so.  The  past  came  rushing  over 
him. 

"  Do  you  know  how  I  found  her  ?  "  he  began  hoarse- 
ly. "  I  had  resolved  to  come  out  here.  I  was  getting 
tired  of  seafaring.  I  went  to  Munro  to  say  good-by 
to  a  few  old  friends.  I  expected  to  find  her  a  happy 
wife  and  mother,  with  little  ones  about  her.  Instead  it 
was  a  virtually  deserted  wife,  who  had  heard  nothing 
of  her  husband  in  a  long  while,  who  had  used  up  all 
her  little  store  and  was  in  debt  besides,  who  was  suffer- 
ing from  cold,  want,  heartbreak,  and  dying,  knowing 
no  refuge  for  her  child  except  the  poor  farm  or  to  be 
bound  out  to  some  neighbor." 

"  No,  she  would  not  have  been/'  was  the  almost 
fierce  interruption. 

"  The  dying  woman  did  not  know  that.  She  had 
some  comfort  in  her  last  moments,"  and  his  voice  soft- 
ened curiously  with  remembered  pathos.  "  She  gave 
me  the  child.  I  have  been  father  and  mother  to  her. 
You  cannot  have  her." 

"  I  believe  the  law  gives  the  parent  the  right  to  the 
child  until  she  is  of  age.  You  had  no  consent  of  mine. 
You  could  not  legally  adopt  her,  at  least,  it  would  not 
hold  in  law." 

Jason  Chadsey  turned  pale  under  the  tan  of  years. 
Why,  he  had  not  even  thought  of  any  legal  protection 
for  his  claim.  It  rested  only  on  love  and  care. 

"  You  see,"  continued  the  confident  voice,  "  that  my 
right  has  been  in  no  way  jeopardized.  I  am  Laverne 
Westbury's  father,  amply  able  to  care  for  her  in  an 


250    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

attractive  and  refined  manner,  place  her  in  the  best 
society,  to  give  her  whatever  education  and  accom- 
plishment she  needs,  the  protection  of  a  mother,  the 
standing  of  a  father,  travel — we  are  to  go  to  England 
shortly — and  it  would  be  worse  than  folly  to  stand  in 
her  way." 

"  She  will  not  go,"  Jason  Chadsey  said  sturdily. 

"  She  will  if  the  law  directs." 

"  She  will  not  when  she  knows  the  struggle  of  the 
last  year  of  her  mother's  life.  Why,  you  robbed  her 
mother,  the  poor,  old,  helpless  woman,  of  the  little  she 
had.  You  persuaded  her  to  take  up  money  on  the 
house — it  was  not  worth  much,  but  it  was  a  home  to 
shelter  them." 

"  Laverne  was  as  anxious  to  get  out  of  the  place  as  I. 
What  could  I  do  there  ?  She  was  willing  that  I  should 
try.  I  was  unfortunate.  Other  men  have  been — you 
find  wrecks  everywhere.  I  struggled  hard  to  recover, 
and  did,  even  if  it  was  too  late  for  her.  We  thank 
Providence  for  our  successes — doesn't  the  same  power 
direct  reverses?  It  wasn't  my  fault.  Luck  runs 
against  a  man  his  whole  life  sometimes." 

"  You  could  have  written.  That  would  have  cheered 
her  solitary  hours.  She  would  have  told  you  she  was 
dying,  and  begged  you  to  come.  When  I  vhink  of 
what  that  dreary  winter  was  to  her " 

"  You  were  there  to  comfort  her."  There  was  a  half 
sneer  on  the  face.  "  See  here,  Jason  Chadsey,  you  were 
her  first  lover,  not  a  very  ardent  one,  I  fancy,  either. 
I  was  a  fool  to  persuade  her  to  marry  me,  though  I 
think  her  grandmother  had  a  strong  hand  in  it.  You 
were  there  those  last  weeks.  Did  she  confess  her  mis- 


IN  THE  BALANCE  251 

take,  and  admit  that  you  had  held  her  heart  all  these 
years  ?  What  confidences  took  place  ?  " 

"  None  that  you  might  not  hear.  Nothing  but  some 
truths  that  I  guessed,  and  wrung  out  of  her — your 
neglect.  You  would  not  dare  to  stain  the  mother's 
memory  to  the  child.  If  you  did  I  think  I  could  kill 
you.  Any  one  who  knows  aught  about  those  New 
England  women,  brought  up  among  the  snowy  hills 
like  nuns,  would  know  it  was  a  base  lie ! " 

"  Come,  come,  we  won't  slop  over  into  melodrama. 
We  will  leave  it  to  the  law  if  you  agree  to  abide  by  the 
decision." 

"  The  law  will  not  force  her  to  go." 

"  I  think  she  will  be  convinced.  You  are  no  kin  to 
her.  Now  that  she  is  grown,  it  is  hardly  the  thing  for 
her  to  go  on  living  in  this  fashion.  You  may  mean  to 
marry  her.  That  would  be  monstrous !  " 

"  Go  your  way,  go  your  way,  David  Westbury,"  and 
he  made  an  indignant  gesture  as  if  he  would  sweep 
him  out  of  the  place.  "  I  have  other  matters  on  hand, 
I  have  no  time  to  parley." 

Then  Chadsey  turned  and,  being  near  the  door,  made 
a  rush  for  the  street,  plunging  the  next  minute  into  the 
thick  of  business.  Westbury  laughed  a  moment, 
lighted  a  cigar,  and  sauntered  out  at  his  leisure.  Up  in 
a  more  respectable  street  he  glanced  about,  finding  a 
lawyer's  office,  and  though  he  guessed  the  opinion  must 
be  in  his  favor  he  wanted  an  assurance. 

"  If  there  had  been  an  assignment  under  belief  that 
the  father  was  dead,  he  could  recover,  if  it  was  proved 
he  was  the  proper  person  to  have  the  care  of  the  child, 
and  amply  able  to  support  it." 


252    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Jason  Chadsey  worked  furiously.  He  would  not 
think.  It  was  high  noon  before  he  found  a  respite. 
Then  he  went  in  the  office  instead  of  going  to  lunch. 
He  could  not  eat. 

The  shadow  that  would  hang  over  him  now  and 
then,  that  he  had  always  managed  to  drive  away,  had 
culminated  at  length  in  a  storm  that  would  sweep 
from  its  moorings  the  dearest  thing  he  held  on  earth, 
that  he  had  toiled  for,  that  he  had  loved  with  the 
tenderness  of  a  strong,  true  heart,  that  had  been 
all  his  life.  Without  her  it  would  only  be  a  breath- 
ing shell  of  a  body,  inert,  with  no  hope,  no  real 
feeling.  Ah,  if  they  had  been  ready  to  go  away  a 
few  months  ago !  If  Laverne  was  of  age !  If  he  had  a 
legal  adoption,  they  might  make  a  fight  on  that.  He 
had  nothing.  But  she  would  not  go,  she  would  not  go. 

Ah,  how  could  he  tell  her?  Perhaps  her  father  and 
yes,  that  soft-spoken,  insinuating  woman,  was  her  step- 
mother, and  Laverne  had  a  young  girl's  fancy  for  her 
— perhaps  they  would  go  and  lay  the  case  before  her, 
persuade,  entreat — oh,  no,  they  could  not  win,  he  felt 
sure  of  that.  How  could  he  ever  go  home!  What 
would  the  home  be  without  her !  What  would  life  be 
— the  money — anything ! 

It  was  quite  late  when  he  climbed  the  ascent,  growing 
worse  and  worse.  There  had  been  two  landslides. 
Why,  presently  they  would  be  swept  away. 

"  Oh,  how  late  you  are !  "  cried  the  soft,  girlish  voice. 
"  How  did  you  get  up  ?  Isn't  it  dreadful !  Have  you 
had  a  hard  day?  Was  there  a  steamer  in?  Do  you 
suppose  we  shall  ever  have  a  letter  from  the  Hud- 
sons?" 


IN  THE  BALANCE  253 

Nothing  had  happened.  Perhaps  David  Westbury 
did  not  dare.  He  almost  crushed  the  slim  figure  in  his 
arms. 

"  Oh,  what  a  bear  hug !  "  she  cried,  when  she  could 
get  her  breath.  "  And  you  are  so  late.  We  had  such  a 
splendid  big  fish  that  Pablo  caught  and  cooked,  and  it 
was  delicious.  And  I  made  a  berry  cake,  but  you 
like  that  cold,  and  we  will  have  the  fish  heated  up.  Was 
it  an  awful  busy  day  ?  " 

"  Yes,  a  vessel  in,  and  another  to  be  loaded  up." 

His  voice  shook  a  little. 

"  Oh,  you  dear  old  darling,  you  are  tired  to  death. 
Here's  a  cup  of  nice  tea.  And  if  you  were  a  young 
lover,  I  would  sing  you  the  daintiest  little  Spanish 
song.  Isola  and  I  made  it  up.  You  see,  things  don't 
sound  quite  so  bare  and  bald  in  Spanish,  and  you  can 
make  the  rhymes  easier.  The  music  is  all  hers.  We 
are  supposed  to  sing  it  to  some  one  gone  on  a  journey 
that  we  want  back  with  us." 

"  Well,  I'm  an  old  lover ;  sing  it  to  me !  "  Then  she 
would  not  notice  that  he  was  not  eating  much  supper. 

The  guitar  had  a  blue  ribbon,  and  she  threw  it  over 
her  shoulder  and  shook  her  golden  hair  about.  Tinkle, 
tinkle,  went  the  soft  accompaniment.  She  had  a  sweet 
parlor  voice,  with  some  sad  notes  in  it,  wistful,  longing 
notes.  He  wondered  if  she  was  thinking  of  any  one 
miles  and  miles  across  the  water. 

"  It  is  tender  and  beautiful,"  he  said,  "  sing  some- 
thing else." 

"  You  are  not  eating  your  cake." 

"  But  I  shall."    He  must  choke  down  a  little. 

Afterward  they  strolled  about  the  hill.    There  was 


254    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

no  moon,  but  the  stars  were  like  great  golden  and  silver 
globes,  and  the  air  was  sweet  with  a  hundred  fra- 
grances. Nothing  had  happened,  and  he  wondered  a 
little  at  it.  Suddenly  she  said : 

"  Oh,  you  must  go  to  bed  after  such  a  hard  day's 
work.  And  I  am  cruel  dragging  you  about." 

He  could  not  tell  her.  Oh,  what  if  he  should  never 
need  to  tell  her!  How  could  he  give  her  up?  Was 
life  all  sacrifice? 

Something  odd  had  happened  to  her.  She  sat  by  the 
window  living  it  over.  She  had  gone  around  by  Fol- 
som  House  to  see  Mrs.  Westbury,  thinking  how  she 
should  miss  her  when  they  went  back  to  England. 
She  ran  up  to  her  room.  There  was  a  thin  lace  drapery 
in  the  doorway  to  bring  a  breeze  through  and  yet 
shield  the  occupant  from  the  passer-by. 

"  Oh,  you  sweet  little  darling !  Did  you  dream  that 
I  was  wishing  for  you?  I've  been  just  crazy  to  see 
you  all  day." 

She  was  in  a  dainty  white  silk  negligee,  with  cas- 
cades of  lace  and  some  pale  pink  bows.  She  wore  such 
pretty  gowns,  Laverne  thought. 

"  Do  you  know  that  in  about  a  week  we  shall  go 
away?  And  I  shan't  know  how  to  live  without  you. 
I  love  you  so !  Why  do  you  suppose  I  should  be  always 
longing  for  you,  thinking  about  you  ?  Last  night " 

She  gave  her  a  rapturous  embrace  and  kissed  lips 
and  brow  and  eyelids.  Sometimes  Isola  Savedra 
caressed  her  this  way.  But  Isola  was  just  a  girl, 
musical,  vehement,  Spanish. 

"  I  couldn't  sleep  for  thinking  of  you,  longing  for 
you.  Shall  I  steal  you  and  take  you  away  ?  Oh,  if  you 


IN  THE  BALANCE  255 

loved  me  well  enough  to  come,  you  should  have  every- 
thing heart  could  desire.  I  am  so  lonesome  at  times." 

"  I  shouldn't  come  for  the  things,"  she  returned, 
coloring.  "  And  if  I  loved  you  ever  so  much " 

"  No,  don't  say  you  wouldn't.  Oh,  to-morrow  I 
shall  have  something  strange  to  tell  you,  but  now  I  say 
over  and  over  again  I  want  you,  I  want  you ! " 

Laverne  drew  a  long  breath.  She  was  half  magne- 
tized by  the  intensity,  by  the  strange  expression  in  the 
face,  the  eager  eyes. 

"  I  shall  be  sorry  to  have  you  go."  She  hardly  knew 
what  to  say.  Sorrow  did  not  half  express  it. 

"  Don't  mind  me — yes,  it  is  true,  too.  But  I  heard  a 
story  last  night  that  suggested  such  a  splendid  possi- 
bility. I  couldn't  sleep.  And  I  can't  tell  you  just  yet, 
but  when  you  hear  it — oh,  you'll  be  tender  and  not 
break  my  heart  that  is  so  set  upon  it.  Something  you 
can  do  for  me." 

"  I  will  do  anything  in  my  power." 

"  Remember  that  when  I  ask  you." 

She  was  fain  to  keep  her  longer,  but  Laverne  had  a 
curious  feeling  that  she  could  not  understand,  a  half 
fear  or  mystery.  And  then  she  had  some  translation  to 
make  for  to-morrow.  She  was  studying  German  now. 

She  worked  steadily  at  her  lessons.  Then  she  had  a 
race  with  Bruno,  and  waited  out  on  the  steps  for  Uncle 
Jason.  What  would  happen  to  her  to-morrow?  It 
might  be  an  elegant  parting  gift.  How  strange  Mrs. 
Westbury  had  been.  No  one  had  influenced  her  in  just 
that  way  before. 

Then  she  went  to  bed  and  fell  asleep  with  the  ease 
of  healthy  youth.  Jason  Chadsey  tossed  and  tumbled. 


256    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

What  would  to-morrow  bring?  How  would  Laverne 
take  it  ?  Must  she  go  ?  Would  she  go  ?  How  could  he 
endure  it? 

"  One,"  the  solemn  old  clock  downstairs  said. 
"  Two."  He  had  half  a  mind  to  get  up.  Hark,  what 
was  that?  Or  was  he  dreaming?  Oh,  again,  now  a 
clang  sharp  enough  to  arouse  any  one.  Fire!  Fire! 
He  sprang  out  of  bed  and  went  to  the  window.  Was 
it  down  there  on  the  bay?  He  stood  paralyzed  while 
the  clamor  grew  louder,  and  flames  shot  up  in  great 
spires,  yellow-red  against  the  blue  sky.  And  now  an 
immense  sheet  that  seemed  to  blot  out  the  middle  of  the 
bay,  as  if  it  could  run  across.  "  Clang,  clang,"  went 
the  bells. 

"  Oh,  what  is  it,  fire?  "  cried  Miss  Holmes. 

"  Fire  down  on  the  docks.  I  must  go.  Do  not  dis- 
turb Laverne." 

Let  her  sleep  now.  She  would  know  sorrow  soon 
enough. 

He  dressed  hurriedly  and  went  out.  The  stars  were 
still  shining  in  the  blue  sky,  though  round  the  edges 
toward  the  eastward  there  were  faint  touches  of  gray- 
ish white.  But  the  zenith  seemed  aflame.  Up  went 
the  great  spires  grandly,  a  thing  to  be  admired  if  it 
brought  no  loss.  He  went  stumbling  down  the  rough 
ways  in  the  semi-darkness.  Once  a  stone  rolled  and 
he  fell.  Then  he  hurried  on.  Other  people  were  out — 
you  could  discern  windows  crowded  with  heads.  Was 
San  Francisco  to  have  another  holocaust?  There  were 
shrieks  and  cries.  The  noise  of  the  engines,  blowing  of 
horns,  whistles,  boats  steaming  up,  others  being  towed 
out  in  the  bay,  wooden  buildings  hastily  demolished  to 


IN  THE  BALANCE  257 

stay  the  progress  of  the  red  fiend.  Crowds  upon 
crowds,  as  if  the  sight  were  a  new  one. 

On  the  corner  of  Davis  Street  he  sat  down  on  a  bar- 
rel, close  by  a  stoop,  overwhelmed  by  the  certainty. 
Why  go  any  nearer?  The  rigging  of  a  vessel  had 
caught,  the  flames  twisted  this  way  and  that  by  their 
own  force,  as  there  was  no  wind,  fortunately. 

All  the  labor  of  years  was  swallowed  up,  her  fortune, 
her  luxuries,  her  pleasures.  Another  twelve  months 
and  it  would  have  been  secured.  But,  alas !  she  would 
not  be  here  to  share  it.  Did  it  matter  so  very  much? 
His  soul  within  him  was  numb.  Since  he  had  lost  her, 
what  need  he  care  for  a  prosperity  she  could  not  share  ? 

The  hot  air  swept  his  face.  Pandemonium  sounded 
in  his  ears.  Men  ran  to  and  fro,  but  he  sat  there  in  a 
kind  of  dumb  despair  that  all  his  life  should  have  gone 
for  nought,  labor,  and  love  as  well. 


CHAPTER  XVII     . 

THE  DECISION  OF  FATE 

PABLO  told  them  the  heart-breaking  news.  But  about 
eight  o'clock  Uncle  Jason  returned.  The  fire  was  out, 
there  were  only  heaps  of  smoking  ashes  and  smoulder- 
ing brands.  Jason  Chadsey  had  been  warmly  sym- 
pathized with,  proffered  assistance  to  rebuild,  to  re- 
commence business,  and  would  have  been  deluged  with 
whiskey  if  he  had  accepted.  That  was  still  a  panacea 
for  all  ills  and  troubles.  But  he  refused,  and  wandered 
about  in  dogged  silence.  No  one  knew  the  whole  loss. 

In  the  farther  office  desk  he  had  slipped  a  box  with  a 
string  of  pearls  for  his  darling's  birthday.  Some  one 
had  said  pearls  were  for  blondes,  and  in  spite  of  much 
out-of-door  living,  she  had  kept  her  beautiful  com- 
plexion. Then  crushed  by  the  astounding  news,  he  had 
forgotten  about  it. 

"  Oh,  Uncle  Jason !  "  Grimed  as  he  was  with  smoke 
and  cinders,  she  flew  to  his  arms,  and  sobbed  out  her 
sorrow. 

"  There,  there,  dear."  His  voice  had  the  stress  of 
fatigue  and  great  emotion.  "  I  am  not  fit  to  touch. 
And  I  can't  talk  now.  I  am  tired  to  death.  Give  me 
a  cup  of  coffee." 

"  I  don't  believe  I  will  go  to  school  to-day,"  she  said, 
with  fine  disregard  of  rules.  "And  yet  I  ought. 
There  are  the  translations  to  be  handed  in." 

258 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  259 

"  Yes,  do  go.     I  must  get  some  rest." 

"  I'll  come  home  at  noon/'  kissing  him  fondly. 

He  nodded.  He  was  a  broken  old  man  in  what 
should  have  been  the  prime  of  life.  He  drank  his 
coffee,  then  took  the  whiskey  he  had  refused  down  on 
the  dock,  went  to  his  room,  and  after  a  good  cool  wash, 
threw  himself  on  the  bed. 

The  fire  was  on  everybody's  tongue.  Not  that  fires 
were  a  rarity.  But  this  might  have  been  much  worse, 
yet  it  was  bad  enough  for  Jason  Chadsey.  The  air  was 
still  full  of  smoke,  there  was  a  dense  fog  and  a  cloudy 
sky.  Everywhere  you  heard  the  same  talk. 

The  lessons  at  school  went  on  well  enough,  though 
Laverne's  nerves  were  all  of  a  tremble.  Just  after 
eleven  as  recess  began  she  was  summoned  to  the  re- 
ception room. 

David  Westbury  had  been  out  to  the  fire  and  come  in 
again. 

"  Gad !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  It's  that  Chadsey's  place ! 
And  he  had  a  tremendous  stock,  a  new  shipload  just 
in,  some  others  waiting  to  be  loaded  up.  This  is  a 
queer  town  where  every  so  often  there's  a  big  fire. 
The  only  amends  is  that  it  is  rebuilt  better.  Half  of  the 
old  rookeries  ought  to  come  down,  they  look  so  for- 
lorn and  ancient." 

"  Oh,  David.  Well,  if  he  has  lost  everything  he  will 
be  the  more  willing  to  give  up  the  girl." 

"  He  will  give  her  up,  anyhow,"  in  a  determined  tone. 
Some  things  Chadsey  had  said  still  rankled  in  David 
Westbury's  mind. 

He  went  downtown  again.  Yes,  it  was  ruin  sure 
enough.  Being  prosperous  now,  he  could  afford  to 


260    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

pity  the  unfortunate  ones.  Chadsey  had  gone  home. 
The  police  were  in  charge,  to  keep  off  the  roughs  and 
the  thieves. 

"We  must  have  the  matter  settled  to-day/'  he  de- 
clared to  his  wife. 

"  I  know  where  she  is  at  school.     Let  us  go  there." 

"Excellent.  I  should  like  to  see  her  alone.  It  is 
right  that  she  should  hear  my  story." 

So  to  the  school  they  went.  Laverne  came  in  a 
little  flurried,  and  yet  bewitching  in  her  simple  girl- 
hood. Her  bodice  was  rather  low  about  the  throat, 
with  some  edging  around,  and  a  band  of  black  velvet 
encircled  her  white  neck.  Her  skirt  was  ankle  length, 
and  the  man  noted  her  trim,  slender  feet,  with  the  high 
arch  of  the  instep. 

Mrs.  Westbury  kissed  her  with  warmth  and  tender- 
ness. Her  eyes  were  luminous  this  morning,  and  the 
flushes  showed  above  the  delicately  tinted  cheeks;  her 
whole  air  was  pleading,  enchanting. 

"  You  know  I  said  there  was  a  strange  story  for 
you  to  hear/'  she  exclaimed,  when  they  had  talked  at 
length  about  the  fire.  "  Mr.  Westbury  will  tell 
you." 

He  began  to  pace  up  and  down,  as  was  his  habit, 
so  slowly  that  it  gave  him  an  air  of  thoughtfulness. 
Mrs.  Westbury  had  her  arm  around  Laverne. 

"  Yes,  a  rather  curious  story,  yet  numbers  of  these 
instances  crop  out  along  life.  Friends,  often  relatives 
are  reunited,  tangled  threads  are  straightened,  mys- 
teries explained.  In  a  little  village  in  Maine  lived  a 
girl  and  her  two  friends,  they  were  a  little  too  old  for 
real  schoolmates.  Her  name  was  Laverne  Dallas." 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  261 

Why,  that  was  her  mother's  name.  And  Maine. 
She  began  to  listen  attentively,  just  as  one  pieces  out  a 
dream  that  has  nearly  escaped  from  memory.  And 
Westbury !  Why,  she  had  forgotten  she  ever  had  any 
other  name  than  Chadsey — it  was  her  story  as  well, 
and  now  she  looked  at  the  man,  who  certainly  had 
nothing  repellant  about  him,  and  the  story  of  those 
early  years  was  pathetic  as  he  lent  it  several  appealing 
embellishments.  She  really  could  not  remember  him 
with  any  distinctness.  The  death  of  her  grandmother, 
the  pale,  reserved  mother,  coughing  and  holding  on 
to  her  side,  the  coming  of  Uncle  Jason,  who  it  seemed 
was  no  uncle  at  all,  her  mother's  death,  and  all  the  rest 
was  school  and  play. 

"  Oh !  Oh !  "  she  cried,  and  hid  her  face  on  Mrs. 
Westbury's  shoulder. 

"  So  you  see  you  are  my  little  daughter.  Your  own 
mother  is  not  here  to  care  for  you  and  make  you  happy, 
but  here  is  a  new  mother,  who  has  learned  to  love  you 
unaware.  And  now  we  are  returning  to  London,  and 
will  take  you  with  us,  and  give  you  the  life  that  rightly 
belongs  to  you " 

"  Oh,  no,  no,"  she  interrupted  with  poignant  pathos. 
"  I  cannot  go.  I  could  not  leave  Uncle  Jason  in  this 
sad  loss  and  trouble.  He  has  been  so  good,  so  kind, 
so  tender " 

"  As  if  an  own  father  could  not  be  that !  Laverne, 
my  darling,  my  own  little  girl ! " 

If  he  had  been  poor  he  would  have  thought  any  child 
a  great  burden.  He  was  not  the  sort  of  man  to  make 
sacrifices  for  any  one.  They  would  have  irked  him 
terribly.  But  in  prosperity  he  was  very  indulgent. 


262    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

There  are  many  such  people.  Jason  Chadsey  would 
have  shared  his  last  dollar,  his  last  crust,  ungrudg- 
ingly. 

They  began  to  set  the  matter  before  her  in  a  reason- 
able, practical  light.  Henceforward  she  would  be  a 
burden  on  Mr.  Chadsey,  who  had  already  done  so  much 
for  her.  She  would  have  in  her  parents'  care  accom- 
plishments, travel,  society,  a  lovely  home,  pleasures  of 
all  kinds,  and  now  she  was  old  enough  to  enjoy  them. 
And  they  wanted  her.  Her  father  had  the  lawful 
right,  would  have  until  she  was  of  age. 

"  I  must  go  home,"  she  said  at  length.  "  It  is  so 
strange.  I  must  think  it  over.  And  if  Uncle  Jason 
wants  me " 

"  And  we  want  you."  Agnes  Westbury  gave  her  a 
tender  embrace,  as  she  wiped  the  tears  from  her  own 
eyes.  They  could  not  be  allowed  to  run  riot  down  the 
cheeks  as  Laverne's  were  doing. 

She  rose  unsteadily. 

"  Have  you  no  word  for  me,  your  father  ?  " 

She  went  to  the  outstretched  arms  and  hid  her  face 
on  his  breast.  She  could  not  love  all  at  once.  She 
could  not  break  Uncle  Jason's  heart. 

"  I  know  it  must  seem  strange,  but  I  think  Mr. 
Chadsey  will  recognize  my  right  in  you.  We  must 
see  him " 

"  To-morrow,  then/'  she  interrupted.  "  Let  me 
have  this  afternoon  to  consider,  to  talk." 

Her  voice  trembled  from  exhaustion.  She  took  a 
few  unsteady  steps.  The  noon  bells  began  to  ring, 
and  again  she  said  she  must  go. 

They  importuned  her  to  accompany  them  to  the 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  263 

Folsom  House  to  dinner,  but  she  would  not  consent. 
Then  her  father  insisted  that  she  should  have  a  hack, 
but  she  refused  that  strenuously.  They  walked  to- 
gether some  distance. 

"  Arrangements  must  be  made  to-morrow  morning," 
her  father  said  authoritatively.  She  felt  as  if  she 
had  been  metamorphosed  into  some  other  person. 
Laverne  Westbury !  it  made  her  shiver.  She  liked  the 
old  personality  so  much  better.  Must  she  go  away? 
This  was  all  the  real  home  she  had  ever  known,  this 
strange,  odd,  ever-changing  Old  San  Francisco.  Why, 
over  here  there  was  a  row  of  tents  when  they  first  came. 
And  the  queer  little  one-room  and  two-room  adobe 
houses,  and  the  tangled-up  streets  that  ended  at  some 
one's  house.  How  plainly  she  could  see  it  all ! 

She  began  to  climb  the  hill  wearily.  Then  some 
one  came  to  meet  her,  helped  her  tenderly  over  the 
rough  places.  They  did  not  pause  at  the  house,  but 
took  the  winding  path  up  to  the  pine  tree  that  grew 
more  beautiful  every  year,  with  its  shining  needles  and 
gray-green,  fuzzy  buds,  almost  like  little  kittens  roll- 
ing and  tumbling  in  the  wind.  Balder  the  beautiful 
was  resting  here.  Here  Victor  had  really  said  good-by 
to  her.  Why,  Victor  was  in  London.  And  suddenly 
London  seemed  to  emerge  from  the  gloom  of  the 
Tower,  and  the  execution  of  King  Charles  and  a  hun- 
dred other  melancholy  reminiscences. 

"  Laverne !  "  her  uncle  began. 

"  Oh,  I  know !  I  know  !  They  both  came  to  school. 
They  told  me  everything.  But  I  shall  not  go.  Do 
you  think  I  could  be  so  ungrateful,  so  heartless  now  in 
all  this  trouble  ?  And  I  love  you.  It  is  years  of  love 


264    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

between  us,  and  only  a  few  weeks  with  them.  Oh,  no, 
no!" 

There  was  a  long  silence.  A  vireo  came  and  sang 
his  merry  lilt  in  the  tree  overhead.  The  fog  and  a 
good  deal  of  the  smoke  had  cleared  away,  and  the  sun 
was  shining. 

He  was  very  glad  of  the  love.  It  would  comfort  him 
all  the  rest  of  the  weary  way. 

"  Listen,  child,"  he  said  at  length,  and  he  went  care- 
fully over  the  ground.  The  strongest  point  of  all  was 
that  the  law  would  give  her  to  her  father  the  next  four 
years.  And  now  he  would  have  to  start  in  anew  and 
make  another  fortune.  "  I  am  not  too  old,"  he  de- 
clared, with  a  little  pride. 

A  word  had  caught  her,  just  as  one  catches  a  ball 
with  a  chain  at  careless  throw. 

"  Four  years,"  she  said.  "  Why,  then  when  I  am 
twenty-one  I  could  come  back.  Four  years  only! 
Will  you  be  waiting  for  me?  I  shall  surely  come." 

She  would  be  married  before  that.  A  pretty  young 
girl  with  a  fortune  was  not  likely  to  be  left  on  the  bush. 
He  caught  at  it,  too.  It  would  smooth  the  way  since 
the  parting  had  to  be.  He  had  nothing ;  Westbury  had 
it  all. 

"  Oh,"  she  cried  impulsively,  "  I  can  think  how  you 
loved  my  mother.  Was  she  happy  there  at  the  last 
with  you?  But  you  two  should  have  been  married, 
and  I  should  have  been  your  child.  Why  do  things, 
wishes,  events  go  at  cross-purposes  ?  " 

Alas!  no  one  could  tell.  It  was  one  of  the  great 
world's  mysteries. 

Miss  Holmes  summoned  them  to  dinner  presently. 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  265 

She  had  heard  the  story,  and  though  it  was  hard,  they 
had  to  admit  that  the  child  belonged  to  her  father  while 
she  was  under  age. 

Half  the  night  Laverne  thought  she  would  defy 
them  all  and  stay.  Would  her  father  want  to  drag 
her  away  a  prisoner  ?  What  was  a  father's  love  like  ? 
Wasn't  the  playing  at  it  better  and  holier;  the  sense 
of  loss  somewhere  else  making  it  diviner,  giving  it  a 
yearning  that  a  full  right  could  never  quite  embody? 
She  did  not  like  the  full  right  to  be  taken,  she  would 
rather  be  coaxed  a  little  and  led  along.  And  she  could 
not  positively  decide  about  Mrs.  Westbury.  Some 
girls  she  found  were  quite  extravagant  in  their  pro- 
testations and  then  forgot.  Olive  was  one;  there  was 
another  very  sweet  girl  in  school  who  wanted  always 
to  be  caressing  the  one  she  liked.  Isola  was  not  al- 
ways demonstrative.  They  did  have  some  delight- 
ful quiet  times.  Were  not  women  girls  grown  larger 
and  older? 

It  was  strange,  Laverne  thought,  how  nearly  every 
one  was  ranged  on  Mr.  Westbury's  side.  The  Per- 
sonettes  admired  him,  Mrs.  Folsom  considered  him  a 
gentleman,  and  at  that  time  the  term  was  a  compli- 
ment. The  schoolgirls  envied  her  the  romance  and  the 
going  abroad.  Even  Miss  Holmes  thought  it  the  right 
and  proper  thing  to  do.  Uncle  Jason  did  not  discuss 
the  right,  with  him  there  was  nothing  else  to  do. 

Other  matters  troubled  him.  Property  had  been 
queerly  held  in  the  city.  There  had  been  squatters, 
there  had  been  old  Mexican  deeds,  claims  coming  up 
every  now  and  then  to  be  settled  with  difficulty. 
Jason  Chadsey  had  leased  the  ground  and  fhe  water- 


266    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

front  when  it  had  not  been  very  valuable.  He  had 
bought  one  building,  erected  others.  In  a  year  more 
the  lease  would  expire.  Already  large  prices  had  been 
offered  for  it.  He  could  not  rebuild,  though  generous 
friends  had  proffered  him  any  amount  of  money.  He 
felt  unable  to  take  the  stir  and  struggle  for  no  end, 
that  he  could  not  explain.  Like  a  wounded  animal,  he 
wanted  to  go  off  in  quiet  and  seclusion  and  nurse  his 
hurts.  He  had  been  worsted  everywhere,  let  him  give 
up. 

Mrs.  Westbury  had  wisdom  enough  not  to  make  her 
claim  at  all  onerous.  There  would  be  plenty  of  time  on 
the  long  journey.  Every  day  her  old  friends  seemed 
dearer  to  Laverne.  At  Oaklands  they  bewailed  the 
separation,  but  recognized  its  rightfulness,  its  neces- 
sity. To  Isola  it  was  a  joy  that  she  would  see  Victor, 
and  she  sent  no  end  of  messages. 

Mrs.  Savedra  said  to  Miss  Holmes,  "  If  you  desire 
to  make  a  change,  we  shall  be  more  than  glad  to  have 
you." 

David  Westbury  drove  his  wife  and  pretty  daughter 
about  with  a  proud,  satisfied  air.  Agnes  shopped  for 
her,  "  just  enough  to  make  her  presentable,"  she  said 
when  Laverne  protested.  But,  after  all,  the  parting 
was  very  hard. 

"  You  must  not  come  and  see  me  off,  Uncle  Jason." 
She  could  not  renounce  the  dear,  familiar  name.  "  If 
you  did,  I  should  give  one  wild  leap  and  land  on  the 
wharf,  and  you  would  have  to  keep  me.  Four  years — 
it's  a  long,  long  while,  and  there  will  be  room  for  a 
great  many  heartaches  in  it,  but  one  day  they  will  be 
healed." 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  267 

He  obeyed  her,  and  did  not  come.  There  were 
many  friends  who  did.  So  she  went  sailing  out  of  the 
Golden  Gate  on  as  fair  a  day  as  she  had  first  entered  it. 
Oh,  how  the  sun  shone  and  tipped  the  waves  with 
molten  gold.  Never  were  skies  bluer.  Even  the  rocks, 
and  the  clefts,  and  the  crannies  brought  out  their  in- 
describable colors,  browns  that  deepened  through  every 
shade  into  purple  and  black,  grays  that  were  pink  and 
mauve  and  dun,  blues  that  ran  into  sapphire,  and  green 
and  chrysoprase.  Telegraph  Hill  and  the  old,  time- 
worn  semaphore.  Oh,  farewell,  farewell,  dear  old 
San  Francisco! 

There  was  some  trouble  getting  insurance  matters 
straightened  up  and  paying  debts.  Jason  Chadsey  had 
lost  the  spring  of  ambition  and  life.  He  would  take 
a  voyage  up  north  with  some  of  the  explorers,  then  he 
would  think  of  the  next  thing.  Four  years.  Oh,  no, 
she  would  never  return.  The  bright,  laughing,  gay 
world  would  swallow  her  up. 

Marian  Holmes  pitied  the  man  profoundly  through 
this  time.  They  had  been  excellent,  sensible  friends. 
There  had  been  two  or  three  occasions  when  she  would 
have  married  him  if  he  had  been  really  in  love  with  her. 
She  knew  now  why  his  love-day  had  passed.  She  en- 
joyed her  own  life,  her  own  neat  ways,  her  liberty. 
She  and  Miss  Gaines  were  still  very  warm  friends,  and 
the  latter  would  have  liked  her  to  come  with  her. 

"  I  have  a  fancy  to  try  it  at  Oaklands,  and  help 
Americanize  these  charming  people,  perhaps  spoil 
them.  It  will  be  very  easy  and  delightful.  The 
daughter  will  be  a  rather  curious  study.  If  she  were 
poor,  she  would  have  a  fortune  in  her  voice.  She  has 


268    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

quite  a  gift  of  poetry.  I  shall  try  to  keep  her  from 
morbidness  and  a  convent,  now  that  she  has  lost  her 
friend.  And  her  mother  wants  her  fitted  for  mar- 
riage. How  these  foreigners  harp  on  that !  "  laughing 
a  little. 

Laverne  Westbury  cried  herself  to  sleep  many  a 
night,  though  in  the  daytime  she  took  a  warm  interest 
in  all  about  her,  and  tried  to  be  agreeable,  tried  to  draw 
near  to  her  father.  He  was  proud  of  her  prettiness,  of 
her  refined  ways,  the  delicacy  that  had  come  down  to 
her  from  the  New  England  strain.  It  was  English,  and 
she  would  "  take  "  over  there.  Then  he  was  glad  to 
have  Agnes  so  happy.  It  was  like  a  girl  with  her  first 
doll.  Often  Laverne  would  rather  have  been  left  alone, 
but  she  tried  not  to  be  ungracious. 

They  crossed  the  Isthmus,  quite  a  new  experience, 
They  went  up  to  Washington,  where  David  Westbury 
had  an  excellent  scheme  to  exploit  that  did  get  taken  up 
afterward.  Then  to  Liverpool.  The  little  girl  never 
dreamed  there  would  come  a  time  when  one  could  cross 
the  continent  in  a  week,  the  ocean  in  another,  and  her 
father's  expectations  seemed  quite  wild  to  her. 

There  was  a  visit  over  to  Paris.  Eugenie  was  at 
the  height  of  her  popularity,  but  now  she  had  to  take  a 
little  pains  with  her  beauty.  Still  she  was  the  mother 
of  a  future  Emperor,  she  was  a  favorite  daughter  of  the 
Church,  she  set  the  fashions  and  the  manners  of  the 
day  and  did  it  most  admirably. 

It  was  not  possible  for  a  girl  to  be  unhappy  or  cry 
herself  to  sleep  amid  such  charming  surroundings.  Her 
French  was  very  useful,  she  had  been  so  in  the  habit  of 
using  it  at  home  that  she  did  not  take  it  up  awkwardly. 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  269 

Then  they  must  go  to  London  and  get  settled.  They 
would  have  a  real  home,  an  attractive  place  where  they 
could  entertain.  Mr.  Westbury  would  be  away  a  good 
deal  on  flying  trips,  and  now  he  would  not  mind  leav- 
ing his  wife  with  her  pleasant  companion.  He  really 
grew  fond  of  Laverne  in  a  proud  sort  of  way.  He  liked 
women  to  have  attractions.  He  was  not  jealous,  he 
had  found  his  wife  too  useful  to  spoil  it  by  any  petty 
captiousness. 

Laverne  was  really  amazed.  A  simple  little  home, 
Mrs.  Westbury  had  said,  but  it  seemed  to  her  quite 
grand.  A  pretty  court,  the  house  standing  back  a  little, 
a  plot  of  flowers  and  some  vines,  a  spacious  hall  with 
rooms  on  both  sides,  a  large  drawing  room,  smaller  de- 
lightful apartments,  sleeping  and  dressing  rooms  up- 
stairs, a  man  and  several  maids,  and  a  carriage  kept  on 
livery. 

On  one  side  of  the  hall  were  an  office  and  a  smoking 
room  devoted  to  the  gentlemen  who  called  on  business, 
and  there  were  many  of  them,  but  they  did  not  disturb 
the  ladies. 

Some  old  friends  came  to  welcome  Mrs.  Westbury 
back,  and  this  was  Miss  Westbury,  who  had  been  at 
school  in  the  "  States  "  while  they  were  travelling  about, 
and  now  would  remain  permanently  with  them.  Mrs. 
Westbury  sent  out  cards  for  a  Sunday  reception  and 
presented  her  daughter  to  the  guests.  She  was  some- 
thing delightfully  fresh  and  new,  a  pretty,  modest  girl 
who  might  have  been  reared  in  any  English  family,  and 
who  was  not  handsome  enough  to  shine  down  the 
daughters  of  other  mammas. 

It  was  her  very  naturalness  that  proved  her  greatest 


270    A  LITTLE   GIRL   IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

charm.  And  Mrs.  Westbury  found  she  had  not  made 
any  mistake  in  desiring  her.  Young  men  sought  her 
favor  again.  Older  men  lingered  for  a  bit  of  bright 
talk.  Laverne  felt  at  times  as  if  she  were  in  an  en- 
chanted world.  How  could  youth  remain  blind  to  the 
delight? 

Then  all  the  wonderful  journeys  about  to  famous 
places,  art  galleries,  concerts,  drives  in  the  parks.  It 
seemed  as  if  there  was  no  end  to  the  money.  Since 
prosperity  had  dawned  upon  David  Westbury  he  had 
made  it  a  rule  never  to  want  twice  for  a  thing  be  it  in- 
dulgence of  any  reasonable  sort,  once  when  he  had,  and 
once  when  he  had  not.  His  plans  were  working  ad- 
mirably. A  golden  stream  was  pouring  in  and  he  was 
in  his  element.  A  few  years  of  this  and  he  could  retire 
on  his  competency. 

She  wrote  to  Miss  Holmes  and  heard  from  her  the 
current  news  about  every  one.  Olive  Personette  was 
well  married.  Isola  had  a  music  master,  an  enthusi- 
astic German,  who  insisted  such  a  voice  should  not  be 
hidden  out  of  sight  and  hearing.  Her  father  had  been 
persuaded  to  allow  her  to  sing  in  St.  Mary's  Church, 
recently  completed  in  a  very  fine  manner,  on  Ascension 
Sunday  and  there  had  been  great  enthusiasm  over  the 
unknown  singer.  Elena  was  growing  up  into  a  bright, 
eager  girl  who  rode  magnificently  and  danced  to  perfec- 
tion, and  was  already  drawing  crowds  of  admirers, 
much  to  her  mother's  satisfaction,  and  would  make 
amends  for  Isola's  diffidence  and  distaste  of  society. 
Dick  Folsom  was  still  flirting  with  pretty  girls. 
Nothing  had  been  heard  from  Mr.  Chadsey,  ex- 
cept that  he  had  gone  up  to  the  wild  Russian  posses- 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  271 

sions.  There  was  inclosed  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Hud- 
son, who  was  a  happy  mother,  and  Jose  was  the  best 
of  husbands. 

Laverne  wondered  at  times  how  it  was  possible  to 
hear  anything  of  Victor  Savedra.  Girls  were  so  hedged 
about  here,  everything  they  did  inquired  into.  It  would 
not  be  proper  for  her  to  write,  and  if  she  had  an  answer 
Mrs.  Westbury  would  know  it.  She  kept  an  excellent 
watch  over  her  pretty  daughter.  She  was  really  glad 
no  one  heard  -  from  Jason  Chadsey.  In  this  round 
of  pleasure  Laverne  would  soon  forget  that  crude  life, 
and  not  care  to  go  back  to  it. 

She  did  find  many  things  to  interest.  But  the  West- 
bury  society  was  not  of  the  intellectual  type.  Then 
there  were  no  stirring  questions  about  one's  own  town. 
London  seemed  a  great  agglomeration  of  small  places, 
and  was  to  a  degree  finished.  There  was  no  especial 
Steamer  day,  there  was  no  influx  of  miners,  no  great 
bay  with  its  shipping  at  hand,  and,  oh,  no  great  ocean 
with  its  multitude  of  denizens  to  watch. 

Yet,  of  course,  there  were  other  wonderful  things, 
the  galleries,  with  their  pictures  and  statues,  only  it 
seemed  to  her  that  people  went  quite  as  much  to  see 
each  other's  fine  clothes.  There  were  the  churches,  the 
palaces,  the  great  piles  of  learning  that  had  trained 
Englishmen  hundreds  of  years.  Mr.  Westbury  took 
them  to  the  House  of  Commons  to  a  debate  that  he  was 
interested  in,  but  she  felt  a  little  disappointed.  Some- 
where at  Oxford  was  Victor  Savedra,  but  what  was 
one  amid  the  great  multitude  ? 

They  went  over  on  the  French  coast  for  a  summering 
and  Laverne  found  herself  quite  a  favorite  at  once.  She 


272     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

was  so  modest  and  unassuming.  American  tourists  had 
not  invaded  every  corner  of  Europe.  And  a  young 
American  who  knew  French  and  Spanish  people  at 
home,  where  no  one  supposed  they  could  be  found, 
where  they  looked  only  for  wild  Indians,  was  indeed  an 
unusual  personage. 

Mrs.  Westbury  was  proud  of  her  stepdaughter.  She 
was  so  tractable,  it  was  so  easy  to  keep  her  out  of  the 
reach  of  undesirable  admirers.  Indeed,  she  thought 
she  should  be  jealous  when  Laverne  came  to  have 
lovers. 

Then  back  to  London  again,  visiting  at  country 
houses  where  there  were  hunts  and  much  fine  riding, 
pretty  evening  balls,  queer  old  women,  titled  and  be- 
jewelled, to  whom  every  one  seemed  to  bow. 

And  it  was  while  they  were  at  Thorley  that  Lord 
Wrexford  came  home  from  the  Continent,  where  he  had 
been  trying  to  live  cheaply  for  a  while.  He  was  five  and 
thirty,  very  well  looking  and  agreeable,  and  though  he 
had  taken  on  some  flesh  he  was  not  too  stout  for  danc- 
ing, so  he  was  invited  out  considerably,  though  he  was 
not  esteemed  a  catch  in  the  matrimonial  market.  For 
it  was  well  known  that  Wrexford  Grange  was  nearly 
covered  with  mortgages.  The  old  lord  was  helpless 
from  paralysis,  not  able  to  sign  his  name,  and  too 
infirm  in  mind  to  consent  lawfully  to  any  measures 
looking  to  the  disposal  of  the  old  place.  Indeed,  his 
death  was  looked  for  almost  any  time. 

He  came  with  a  purpose  beside  dancing.  A  friend 
had  said :  "  See  if  Westbury  can't  do  something  for 
you,  or  put  you  in  a  way  to  help  yourself.  He  has  some 
companies  under  way  that  are  simply  coining  money." 


THE  DECISION  OF  FATE  273 

"  Why,  I  thought  he  went  to  America." 

"  He  did  and  has  been  back  a  year  perhaps.  Lord 
Elsden  is  in  one  company.  It  has  something  to  do  with 
quicksilver,  and  there's  a  gold  mine.  You  used  to  be 
quite  cronies." 

"  Yes,  he  was  a  good  fellow.  He  helped  me  out  of 
one  difficulty." 

So  he  went  to  Thorley  Wold  not  only  to  dance,  but 
the  day  after  the  ball  he  took  David  Westbury  over  to 
Wrexford  Grange  and  they  went  through  papers  and 
debts,  some  to  the  Jews  that  had  been  ruinous  and  were 
now  pressing. 

"  You  see,"  the  younger  man  said,  "  if  I  stood  alone 
I  should  let  the  place  go.  You  must  know  of  chances  to 
make  money  out  there  in  the  new  countries.  I'd  start 
off  to-morrow  if  I  could,  and  hunt  up  a  gold  mine." 

"  They  are  not  always  to  be  found,"  smiling  with  a 
touch  of  shrewdness.  "  And  mining  isn't  just  the 
thing  for " 

"  A  scion  of  nobility.  What  did  I  read  the  other  day  ? 
— some  lucky  fellow  unearthed  a  nugget  worth  thou- 
sands." 

"  Yes — that  does  happen,"  nodding  rather  incredu- 
lously. "  Well,  if  you  want  me  to,  I  will  take  these 
papers  to  London  with  me  and  see  what  I  can  do  for 
you.  It's  a  fine  old  estate." 

"  And  nothing  to  keep  it  on.  Oh,  I  shall  get  out 
of  it  fast  enough  when  the  poor  old  Governor  is  gone. 
It's  a  good  thing  he's  past  worrying  over  it,  or  know- 
ing it,  for  that  matter." 

So  they  returned  to  Thorley  in  time  for  dinner,  and 
in  the  small  dance  that  evening  among  the  house  guests, 


274    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

he  took  Laverne  Westbury  out  twice,  and  heard  part  of 
her  story. 

Mrs.  Westbury  did  not  think  particularly  of  the  mat- 
ter until  Lord  Wrexford  had  been  at  the  house  several 
times  and  paid  her  some  marked  attention,  invited  her 
and  her  daughter  to  visit  Grosvenor  Gallery  and  see  an 
especially  handsome  portrait,  the  work  of  a  friend  of 
his  who  was  coming  rapidly  up  to  fame. 

"  The  fur  on  her  wrap  is  so  beautifully  done  that 
it  seems  as  if  you  might  blow  it  about  with  a  breath. 
And  she  is  an  extremely  handsome  woman,  was  one  of 
the  court  beauties  a  few  years  ago." 

Mrs.  Westbury  was  very  much  pleased  with  her  es- 
cort. A  title  did  go  some  distance  in  her  favor,  though 
she  never  made  any  vulgar  snatch  at  it. 

"What  about  that  Lord  Wrexford?"  she  asked  of 
her  husband  one  of  the  evenings  they  happened  to  be 
alone. 

He  looked  up  from  the  stock  list  he  was  going  over. 

"The  man  or  the  estate?"  with  a  short,  rather 
brusque  laugh. 

"  Well — both."  Her  smile  might  have  been  that  of  an 
arch  conspirator.  A  sudden  thought  occurred  to  him. 
There  were  many  business  proffers  made  to  him  in 
these  days. 

"He's  trying  to  stave  off  some  business  until  his 
father  has  gone.  He  was  willing  to  cut  off  the  entail, 
but  the  question  arose  as  to  whether  his  father  was 
capable,  and  the  lawyers  declare  he  is  not.  Some  par- 
ties are  to  bring  suit  unless  certain  claims  are  met.  The 
indebtedness  is  enough  to  swallow  up  the  whole  thing. 
A  fine  old  estate,  too." 


THE  DECISION   OF  FATE  275 

"  It  is  a  pity  the  title  cannot  go  with  it,"  she  re- 
marked longingly,  with  a  meaning  look. 

"  The  young  man  can,"  and  he  laughed. 

"  I  wonder  some  one  hasn't "  and  she  made  a 

suggestive  pause. 

"  He  might  marry  the  daughter  of  a  rich  tradesman, 
I  suppose.  He  is  really  a  better  class  fellow,  and  would 
shrink  from  a  lot  of  vulgar  relations.  Most  of  these 
Commoners  have  such  large  families,  and  the  other 
class  seldom  have  fortunes  for  their  daughters.  The 
Jews  will  get  the  estate  in  the  end,  I  think,  and  I  am 
really  sorry  for  him." 

"  And  he  wants  some  help  from  you  ?  " 

"  To  tide  over  the  present,  he  imagines.  But  it  will 
be  for  all  time.  Now,  if  you  want  a  handsome  estate 
right  in  among  good  old  families.  You  know  we  heard 
about  it  at  Thorley.  It  wouldn't  be  a  bad  speculation 
if  one  wanted  to  live  there.  It's  not  such  a  great  dis- 
tance from  London." 

"  If  one  could  buy  the  title,"  and  she  sighed. 

He  gave  a  short  laugh  and  then  returned  to  his  list. 

She  leaned  back  in  her  luxurious  chair  and  dreamed. 
They  really  had  something  wherewith  to  purchase  the 
title. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN 

MR.  AND  MRS.  WESTBURY  had  gone  to  Wrexford 
Grange.  Laverne  was  glad  to  have  a  few  days  to  her- 
self. At  first  she  wrote  a  long  homesick  letter  to  Miss 
Holmes.  Already  she  was  tired  of  her  new  life.  Yet 
more  than  a  year  had  passed — three  years  more  and  she 
would  be  free.  But  how  long  it  looked ! 

After  Uncle  Jason's  tender  love  she  was  cruelly  hurt 
by  her  father's  indifference.  He  was  deeply  immersed 
in  business  and  proud  of  his  successes.  Indeed,  why 
should  he  not  be  ?  He  was  shrewd  enough  to  take  no 
honor  in  coming  up  from  the  ranks.  He  preferred  to 
have  his  patrons  think  he  had  always  been  quite  high  on 
the  ladder  of  fortune.  Making  money  was  now  his 
chief  enjoyment,  his  one  ambition.  Laverne  was  a 
pretty  enough  girl,  but  not  the  sort  that  drew  men  irre- 
sistibly to  her  side.  His  wife  was  much  more  attractive. 
And  then  Laverne  brought  some  remembrances  that  he 
wished  strenuously  to  forget,  that  he  had  once  dismissed 
from  his  mind.  He  had  made  a  little  romance  of  it  for 
his  wife's  ears,  and  he  had  a  vague  fear  that  Laverne 
might  recall  some  disagreeable  fact  that  it  would  not 
be  so  easy  to  disavow.  She  never  had,  but  he  was  not 
sure  how  much  might  linger  in  her  memory. 

There  was  always  a  gulf  between  the  father  and 
the  child.  He  had  demanded  her  mostly  to  please  his 

376 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  277 

wife,  the  rest  to  satisfy  a  little  grudge  against  Jason 
Chadsey  that  he  had  happened  to  possess  himself  of 
the  episode  not  at  all  to  his,  Westbury's,  credit.  From 
the  bottom  of  his  heart  he  wished  Chadsey  had  come 
back  in  time  to  marry  Laverne.  It  had  been  a  most  un- 
fortunate step  for  him,  he  reasoned. 

Laverne  had  been  in  a  way  fascinated  by  Mrs.  West- 
bury's protestations  of  affection.  She  had  appealed  to 
all  that  was  sweetest  and  finest  in  the  girl's  nature,  all 
these  years  she  had  been  studying  men  and  women  on 
the  emotional  side,  she  was  not  capable  of  any  intellec- 
tual analysis.  And  though  she  could  assume  so  much, 
at  heart  she  had  very  little  faith  in  her  fellow  beings, 
as  she  measured  them  mostly  by  herself.  An  attractive 
young  girl  would  draw  young  people,  and  she  sunned 
herself  in  the  enthusiasms  of  youth,  they  were  a  tonic 
to  her.  She  did  not  mean  to  grow  old,  but  she  had  a 
quality  rare  in  the  people  who  cling  to  youth,  she  made 
no  silly  assumption  further  than  to  use  all  the  arts  and 
aids  that  she  persuaded  herself  were  quite  as  necessary 
as  a  good  diet  to  conserve  health.  She  enjoyed  her 
world,  her  wealth,  her  little  elusive  pretexts  and  inven- 
tions, and  was  amused  to  see  how  easily  people  who  pre- 
tended to  discrimination  were  ensnared. 

At  first  Laverne  had  been  a  new  toy,  a  plaything,  a 
puppet  that  she  could  draw  in  any  fashion  that  she 
thought  best.  But  presently  she  was  amazed  at  the 
child's  utter  honesty,  her  shrinking  from  dissimulation, 
the  surprise  at  some  things  she  read  in  the  clear  eyes. 
It  had  been  pleasant,  but  now  she  was  tiring  of  her  toy. 
Would  she  be  the  sort  of  girl  who  would  draw  lovers 
to  her  feet  and  dismiss  them  with  a  wave  of  her  fan? 


278    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

There  was  marriage,  of  course.  This  was  really  her 
first  season.  The  daughter  of  a  rich  man  would  not 
lack  offers.  She  wished  she  was  a  little  less  cold,  self- 
contained,  indifferent. 

And  now  a  new  scheme  had  presented  itself.  Why 
should  not  Laverne  be  Lady  Wrexford?  If  her  father 
became  the  virtual  owner  of  Wrexford  Grange,  why 
would  it  not  be  a  fine  dowry  ?  And  they  could  manage 
that  Lord  Wrexford  should  be  judicious  in  expendi- 
tures. It  might  be  best  that  the  entail  should  not  be 
meddled  with. 

Laverne  did  enjoy  the  solitude.  She  was  coming  to 
feel  that  she  was  watched  continually,  criticised 
gently,  of  course,  but  often  it  hurt.  And  she  had  not 
gone  down  to  the  real  heart  of  anything.  Was  there 
a  heart  or  was  it  all  surface  living? 

She  went  out  to  take  her  drive  each  day  with  her 
maid.  Several  young  friends  had  called. 

One  afternoon  Preston  brought  up  a  card.  "  Mr. 
Victor  Savedra,"  Laverne  read. 

"  He  requested  especially  to  see  you,"  Preston  said. 

"  I  was  not  sure "  and  she  glanced  inquiringly. 

"  It  is  all  right,  quite  right,"  the  girl  made  answer, 
but  her  heart  was  in  her  throat,  her  voice  husky.  She 
stood  there  some  seconds,  fingering  the  card.  Truth  to 
tell,  she  felt  hurt  that  Victor  had  made  no  effort  to  see 
her  through  all  this  time,  knowing  from  his  own  family 
she  was  in  London.  It  was  hardly  her  place  to  appeal 
to  him.  Indeed,  she  had  soon  learned  her  old  friends 
were  not  subjects  of  pleasure  to  her  new  relatives.  And 
now  she  had  quite  given  up  hope  with  a  sad  heart- 
ache. 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  279 

Laverne  walked  slowly  down  the  broad  staircase, 
lingered  a  moment,  while  she  felt  her  color  coming  and 
going  in  great  bounds.  Then  there  was  a  step,  a  figure 
emerged  from  the  reception  room,  and  caught  both 
hands  in  his.  Neither  of  them  spoke,  but  simply 
glanced  in  each  other's  eyes.  He  had  changed,  ma- 
tured, and  was  a  really  handsome  young  man  in  the 
somewhat  brilliant  Spanish  style.  But  the  soft  eyes  had 
not  lost  their  olden  tenderness. 

"  Oh,"  he  began,  "  I  was  afraid  I  should  never  see 
you  again,"  and  the  glance  seemed  almost  to  devour 
her. 

"You  have  been  in  London  all  this  time."  There 
was  the  faintest  touch  of  reproach  in  her  tone. 

"  And  you  ?  It  seems  to  me  if  one  can  credit  society 
news  you  have  been  very  gay." 

She  flushed,  and  her  eyes  were  downcast,  the  brown 
lashes  making  a  shadow  on  her  cheek. 

"  You  must  not  upbraid  me.  I  made  some  effort  to 
find  you.  I  was  so  amazed  at  the  strange  turn  of 
affairs.  Isola  and  mother  wrote  to  me  and  begged  me 
to  call  on  you.  At  last  I  did  learn  where  you  were  and 
sent  you  a  note,  directed  to  your  father's  care.  It  was 
answered  by  Mrs.  Westbury,  who  explained  that  you 
were  not  in  society,  a  gentle  suggestion  that  I  might 
have  been  rather  forward,  also  that  you  were  going  to 
some  French  watering  place,  but  no  hint  that  I  might  be 
welcome  on  your  return,"  and  he  half  smiled. 

"  I  never  saw  the  note — I  never  heard.  Oh,  did  you 
think  I  could  forget  an  old  friend  when  all  things  were 
so  strange  and  I  so  lonely  ?  " 

Now   the   lashes   were   gemmed   with   tears.     He 


280    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

longed  to  kiss  them  away.  An  infinite  pity  stirred  his 
heart. 

"  Have  you  been  lonely  and  unhappy  ?  Forgive  me, 
but  I  thought  of  you  as  gay  and  full  of  pleasure.  I  have 
not  been  much  in  ladies'  society.  I  have  made  some  fine 
friends  among  men,  and  it  has  been  study,  study,  but 
I  have  achieved  most  of  my  plans  and  pleased  the  best 
of  fathers.  Last  summer  with  some  friends  I  made  a 
walking  tour  of  Switzerland.  This  summer  I  return 
home.  I  like  America  best.  And  how  San  Francisco 
will  look  after  four  years'  absence!  Nothing  of  the 
kind  could  happen  in  this  staid  old  world.  I  wonder 
sometimes  if  I  have  not  dreamed  part  of  it.  And  if  I 
have  not  dreamed  about  you !  Oh,  what  a  brute  I  am. 
Come  and  sit  down  and  let  us  talk  it  all  over.  And  your 
poor  uncle — what  do  you  hear  from  him  ?  " 

She  wiped  the  tears  from  her  eyes  and  in  a  broken 
voice  said :  "  Nothing." 

"  Oh,  poor  child !  "  All  his  heart  went  out  to  her. 
He  had  thought  nothing  of  love  before.  He  had  been 
but  a  boy,  but  he  knew  he  loved  her  now  with  a  man's 
love,  and  with  a  sudden  resolve  he  determined  to  take 
her  back  with  him  even  if  it  had  to  be  his  wife  without 
his  parents'  blessing  and  God  speed. 

"  No  one  hears,  I  believe,"  she  replied  when  she  had 
recovered  her  voice.  "  Only — I  promised  to  come  back 
to  him  when  I  was  twenty-one  and  free,  and  he  will  be 
waiting  for  me,  I  know." 

Then  this  new  relationship  had  not  been  happy.  He 
had  besought  Miss  Holmes  to  tell  him  about  it,  but  she 
had  been  very  non-committal.  He  gathered  from  that 
she  had  not  been  favorably  impressed  with  either  Mrs. 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  281 

or  Mr.  Westbury,  although  under  the  circumstances 
there  was  nothing  else  to  be  done. 

When  they  had  recovered  self-possession  a  little  they 
began  to  talk  of  the  old  times,  the  old  days  that  had  been 
full  of  delight,  it  appeared,  now  touched  by  the  en- 
chanter, memory.  The  first  time  they  had  danced  to- 
gether when  she  was  a  little  girl,  his  Saturday  at  the 
old  house,  and  the  ride  they  had  taken  down  the  coast. 
Snippy,  and  the  verses  they  had  tried  to  make  for  the 
dead  Balder.  How  he  had  hated  to  tell  her  he  was 
going  away  for  four  long  years,  and  how  glad  he  had 
been  to  get  Isola's  extravagant  letters,  "  for  you 
know  she  simply  adored  you,"  he  confessed,  with  a 
smile. 

"  It  has  all  changed,"  she  said  mournfully,  "  There 
will  be  no  more  San  Francisco.  The  hill  has  been 
lowered  so  much,  and  our  old  house  has  gone  with  it. 
Olive  was  married  in  the  autumn,  you  know." 

"  And  Howard  is  turning  into  a  fine  young  business 
fellow,  father  writes.  Uncle  Personette  may  well  be 
proud  of  his  children,  who  have  had  the  kindest  of 
stepmothers.  I  always  liked  Aunt  Grace  and  your 
Miss  Holmes.  Mother  thinks  she  couldn't  do  without 
her.  And  it's  queer,"  laughing  a  little,  "  she  declined 
a  very  nice  offer  of  marriage  that  a  friend  of  father's 
made  her,  the  captain  of  a  vessel  going  up  and  down 
to  the  Isthmus.  She  was  very  fond  of  you." 

The  sweet  eyes  filled  with  tears  again.  Had  she  left 
all  love  behind  in  the  grand  city  guarded  by  the  Golden 
Gate? 

The  room  grew  dusky.  The  maid  came  in  to  light 
up,  and  glanced  sharply  at  them. 


282     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  Oh,  what  an  unconscionable  visit  I  have  been  mak- 
ing," and  yet  he  laughed  lightly,  not  at  all  troubled  by 
the  proprieties  that  he  had  really  outraged — and  he 
knew  better. 

How  very  charming  he  was,  standing  up  there,  just 
medium  height,  with  one  of  the  figures  that  is  often 
likened  to  Mercury  or  Ganymede.  The  rich  tinted 
Spanish  complexion,  the  dark  melting  eyes,  when  he 
smiled — could  they  ever  look  fierce?  the  narrow  mus- 
tache, leaving  the  red  line  on  the  short  upper  lip,  the 
chin  rounded  out  with  youth  and  health,  the  hands 
dainty  enough  for  a  lady.  They  reached  over  and  held 
hers,  the  eyes  smiled  into  hers,  but  all  the  same  there 
came  a  sharp  pang  at  his  going. 

"  For  the  next  two  weeks  I  shall  be  awfully  busy," 
he  explained.  "  Then  come  the  Christmas  holidays. 
I  didn't  have  any  last  year.  I  just  stayed  and  ground 
in  the  mill.  I  was  bound  to  reach  a  certain  point.  But 
now  I  shall  spend  a  week  in  London.  I  think  I  can  per- 
suade Mrs.  Westbury  to  admit  me." 

Why  should  she  not  ?  Laverne  thought. 

A  happy  girl  sat  down  to  her  solitary  meal.  She  was 
no  longer  lonely.  Christmas  was  near.  Of  next  sum- 
mer she  would  not  think. 

A  letter  came  from  Mrs.  Westbury  with  news  that 
scarcely  touched  Laverne,  and  perhaps  after  all  had  not 
much  of  real  sadness  in  it.  They  had  gone  to  Wrex- 
ford  Grange  to  settle  some  important  business,  and  be- 
fore it  was  finished  the  poor  old  paralytic,  who  for  the 
last  year  had  been  scarcely  conscious  of  anything  but 
breathing,  had  passed  out  of  life.  Lord  Wrexford  had 
insisted  upon  their  staying  until  after  the  funeral. 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  283 

Would  she  mind  if  she  gave  up  the  Liscombes'  dance, 
Mrs.  Leigh  would  be  pleased  to  chaperon  her,  but  it 
would  be  in  better  taste  to  remain  at  home. 

Laverne  did  this  cheerfully.  To  be  sure,  the  days 
were  rather  lonely,  but  the  driving  and  a  little  shopping 
and  going  to  some  picture  exhibitions  with  Mrs.  Leigh 
filled  them  up. 

There  was  a  pile  of  notes  and  invitations  on  Mrs. 
Westbury's  desk  when  she  returned.  Laverne  often 
answered  the  least  important.  Between  them  she  sand- 
wiched Wrexford  Grange.  It  was  an  old,  old  estate, 
the  title  dating  back  for  more  than  three  hundred  years, 
and  though  it  had  been  neglected  of  late  could  be  put 
in  excellent  order  again.  Such  grand  rooms,  such 
a  splendid  hall,  such  a  great  stone  stairway  with  oaken 
railing.  Family  portraits  and  a  copy  of  the  First 
Charles, — the  Wrexfords  had  been  royalists, — but  all 
these  things  had  been  hidden  away  until  the  accession  of 
the  son,  with  the  old  family  silver,  rather  clumsy,  she 
thought,  but  she  was  wise  enough  to  know  that  age  re- 
deemed it. 

"  Oh,"  she  began  suddenly,  "  the  Doncasters  want 
you  for  their  Christmas  Bazaar.  The  Thorleys  are 
coming  up — yes,  I  think  you  must  go.  It  is  for  the  doc- 
tor's pet  charity,  those  crippled  babies.  I  think  it  would 
be  a  mercy  if  the  Lord  took  some  of  the  poor  things  out 
of  the  world,  but  while  they  are  here  they  must  be  taken 
care  of.  It  is  only  one  day  and  evening.  We  must  give 
a  luncheon  to  Florence  and  Claire  Thorley.  I'm  sorry 
Lord  Wrexford  must  be  counted  out  of  the  Christmas 
gayeties.  Yes,  write  an  acceptance." 

When  she  came  down  to  the  bottom  she  glanced  over 


284    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

the  cards,  smiling,  then  frowning,  not  sorry  to  have 
missed  some  of  the  calls. 

"  Victor  Savedra,"  she  exclaimed,  "  why " 

"  It  is  those  Spanish  people  at  home,  at  least,  the  son 
is  here  at  Oxford,  and  he  called." 

She  confessed  it  very  quietly,  without  a  change  of 
color  or  embarrassment. 

"  Oh,  yes — let  me  see — he  asked  permission  to  call — 
I  think  I  told  you — sometime  in  the  early  summer — we 
were  going  away." 

These  little  half  truths  annoyed  Laverne,  but  she 
made  no  comment. 

Mrs.  Westbury  had  accomplished  one  step  toward 
what  she  thought  would  be  the  crowning  point  of  her 
life,  and  she  was  amazed  that  it  had  been  done  so  easily. 
As  Laverne  was  an  important  factor  in  it  she  was  pre- 
pared to  be  very  sweet. 

"He  is  still  at  Oxford?" 

"  Yes,  he  will  be  through  in  June,  and  then  he  will 
return  to  America." 

She  was  not  even  troubled  when  Preston  told  her  the 
young  man  had  stayed  two  good  hours.  In  fact,  La- 
verne was  rather  surprised  at  her  amiability  and  indul- 
gence. She  saw  very  little  of  her  father,  but  he,  too, 
seemed  awakening  to  a  new  interest  in  her.  There  were 
business  and  board  meetings  and  dinners  of  directors, 
but  he  was  always  in  excellent  spirits.  He  sometimes 
wondered  himself  how  it  was  that  fate  seemed  to  send 
everything  his  way.  He  was  very  lavish  with  Christ- 
mas money  to  his  wife  and  daughter. 

So  she  went  to  the  Bazaar  in  the  best  of  spirits.  She 
really  liked  Amy  Doncaster,  though  she  was  finding 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  285 

that  the  type  of  Olive  Personette  was  by  no  means  an 
uncommon  one.  Amy  was  deeply  interested  in  her 
brother's  hospital,  and  often  visited  it  and  made  gar- 
ments for  the  poorer  patients. 

It  was  quite  a  pet  charity  in  one  circle.  There  were 
hundreds  of  other  things  in  the  great  city,  but  they 
had  their  share  of  patronage.  The  hall  was  dressed 
with  evergreens,  and  though  some  of  the  half-hidden 
flowers  were  paper  they  looked  quite  as  pretty  and  did 
not  wither  in  the  heat  and  light.  Tastefully  arranged 
tables,  with  handiwork  both  useful  and  ornamental,  at- 
tractive for  Christmas  gifts;  young  girls  in  simple 
white  attire,  the  fashion  of  those  days,  older  ones  with 
more  elegance  keeping  supervision  and  adding  dignity. 
Carriages  came  and  went  before  the  broad  doorway, 
and  visitors  seemed  generously  inclined. 

She  was  very  happy,  this  charming  American  girl. 
At  the  middle  of  the  century  there  were  not  so  many 
of  them  to  share  and  often  fight  for  triumphs.  Then, 
Mr.  Westbury  had  won  a  standing  of  his  own  and  was 
paving  a  golden  path.  It  was  not  trade,  something 
that  was  held  in  higher  esteem.  Miss  Westbury  might 
be  quite  an  heiress.  There  was  no  older  brother  to 
demand  a  share.  For  we  had  not  outgrown  the  idea 
that  the  brothers  must  be  provided  for  first  of  all. 

When  the  hall  was  lighted  up  and  the  young  men  be- 
gan to  throng  in,  the  scene  was  brilliant  and  the  money- 
changers brought  out  their  best  charms  and  sweetest 
smiles.  Mrs.  Westbury  had  been  in  during  the  after- 
noon and  had  gone  to  a  "  high  tea  "  at  old  Lady  Car- 
croft's.  So  in  the  early  evening  she  came  again. 

Fred  Doncaster,  who  had  elected  the  Church  for  a 


286    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

profession,  since  there  was  a  very  excellent  living  in  the 
other  branch  of  the  family,  and  he  being  a  second  son, 
brought  in  his  friend  Victor  Savedra. 

"  He  is  a  Spaniard,"  explained  Amy  Doncaster  to  a 
group  of  girls.  "  And  isn't  he  handsome !  Fred 
brought  him  over  once,  they  are  great  chums,  and  he 
has  the  most  charming  manners.  Oh,  Miss  Westbury, 
he  lives — well — it  isn't  far  from  that  wonderful  San 
Francisco  where  you  came  from,  and  they  must  be  very 
rich,  Fred  things,  though  he  never  boasts  of  it,  but  it 
must  be  something  like  a  big  English  estate.  Oh,  they 
are  coming  over  here." 

They'  made  their  way  through,  and  Victor's  face 
lighted  with  intense  satisfaction.  Laverne  flushed 
"  celestial  rosy  red."  He  reached  over  and  took  her 
hand,  exclaiming,  "  What  a  pleasure !  I  am  so  glad  to 
see  you  here." 

"  Hillo !  "  and  Fred  gazed  from  one  to  the  other. 

"  We  have  been  friends  from  childhood — isn't  it  ?  " 
smiling  out  of  his  delight.  "  And  Miss  Doncaster — I 
came  almost  purposely  to  buy  some  of  your  wares," 
glancing  at  that  lady. 

"  Oh,  thank  you,"  she  returned  gayly. 

The  rest  of  the  introductions  were  given  and  the 
party  fell  into  a  social  chat.  Mrs.  Westbury  entered 
the  hall  at  that  juncture  with  Mrs.  Doncaster.  A  spasm 
of  something  like  anger  shot  over  her.  Yes,  she  was 
quite  sure  that  must  be  Victor  Savedra.  Was  Laverne 
making  secret  engagements  with  him? 

"Oh,"  Mrs.  Dopcaster  began,  "there  is  Fred's 
friend,  a  young  Spaniard,  who  has  been  over  here  for 
his  education.  We  were  all  charmed  with  him  when 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  287 

Fred  brought  him  to  dinner  one  night,  and  wished  we 
had  made  his  acquaintance  earlier,  since  he  leaves  us 
in  the  summer.  The  Spaniards,  I  believe,  were  some  of 
the  old  settlers  on  the  western  coast.  I  don't  quite 
understand  all  the  distinctions  of  American  people." 

Mrs.  Westbury  recalled  the  fact  that  she  had  met 
the  elder  Mr.  Savedra,  who  had  come  to  say  farewell 
to  Laverne  and  to  assure  her  that  they  would  do  their 
best  to  make  Miss  Holmes  happy.  Then  she  was  for- 
mally introduced  to  the  young  man,  who  had  a  notably 
distinctive  charm,  partly  due  no  doubt  to  his  foreign 
air. 

Fred  certainly  was  in  high  spirits,  and  helped  the  girls 
in  their  sales,  even  if  he  did  call  them  shopkeepers; 
Then  he  insisted  that  Miss  Westbury  should  accompany 
him  around  to  "  spy  out  the  nakedness  of  the  land,"  he 
said,  which  in  this  case  meant  an  accession  of  funds 
for  the  Hospital.  "  My  brother  would  study  surgery," 
he  said,  with  a  half  protest.  "  Minturn  is  a  born  phil- 
anthropist, so  between  us  both  we  shall  care  for  bodies 
and  souls.  I'd  worlds  rather  have  my  profession." 

Amy  and  Savedra  were  talking  just  in  front  of 
them,  now  and  then  pausing  at  a  booth,  where  the  girl 
proudly  introduced  her  companion.  Some  stalls  were 
already  sold  out;  indeed,  every  one  seemed  jubilant 
over  the  success.  In  a  little  rather  private  corner 
groups  were  having  some  refreshments,  and  at  one  they 
found  Miss  Doncaster  and  an  admirer,  who  made  room 
for  them,  and  they  had  a  merry  time.  Victor  sat  on  one 
side  of  Laverne,  and  they  exchanged  bits  of  talk  mostly 
satisfactory  to  each. 

Savedra  had  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Don- 


288    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

casters.  It  was  true  Londoners  were  rushing  out  to 
country  homes,  or  to  holiday  house  parties,  but  there 
were  hosts  of  them  left. 

"  I  had  no  idea  the  Doncasters  knew  you,"  Victor 
said.  "  I  am  glad  we  have  a  mutual  friend.  I  shall 
spend  all  the  holidays  in  town,  and  we  must  see  a  good 
deal  of  each  other  to  make  up  for  the  lost  time." 

Her  eyes  drooped  and  a  delicious  flush  overspread 
her  face.  How  shy  and  sweet  she  was!  He  would 
not  think  of  the  time  when  he  must  go  away  and  leave 
her  behind. 

Mrs.  Doncaster  accepted  a  seat  in  Mrs.  Westbury's 
brougham.  The  young  people  would  walk  home,  as 
the  doctor  headed  the  party.  The  girls  had  planned 
to  have  a  little  dance  the  night  after  Christmas,  just  an 
informal,  suddenly  arranged  matter,  and  Laverne  must 
be  sure  to  come.  They  were  to  go  to  a  Christmas 
dinner,  but  there  was  no  engagement  for  Friday  even- 
ing. 

After  they  had  set  their  companion  down  at  her 
own  door,  Mrs.  Westbury  still  commented  on  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Bazaar  and  the  prettiness  of  the  girls. 

"  And  I  thought  that  young  Savedra  quite  epris  with 
Miss  Amy,  didn't  you?  He  was  devoted  to  her." 

"  They  all  like  him  very  much."  She  was  so  happy 
there  was  no  room  in  her  heart  for  jealousy.  Indeed, 
gladness  forbade  the  thought  of  possessorship. 

"  And  English  girls  don't  mind  marrying  and  going 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  That  Miss  Morven  went  to 
Canada  to  marry  her  betrothed,  who  was  in  some 
government  position,  and  couldn't  leave.  And  Lady 
Estee's  daughter  went  out  to  India.  Of  course,  La- 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  289 

verne,  you  will  not  give  a  second  thought  to  Fred  Don- 
caster.  It  will  be  two  years  before  he  can  be  ordained. 
And  there's  such  a  family,  six  children ! " 

"  Oh,  no,"  returned  Laverne  cheerfully. 

She  had  it  in  her  mind  to  say :  "  Your  father  has 
other  views  for  you,"  but  caution  intervened.  Still, 
when  she  glanced  her  over  in  the  light  of  her  room  as 
she  was  saying  good-night,  she  thought  how  really 
pretty  the  girl  looked  to-night,  her  soft  eyes  shining, 
her  mouth  settled  in  the  curves  of  a  half  smile  that 
would  tempt  any  lover  to  kiss,  the  clear,  beautiful  com- 
plexion, the  long  bronze  lashes  that  seemed  to  play 
with  the  dainty  color  on  her  cheek,  as  the  sun  over 
dimpling  waters.  Yes,  she  wanted  the  excitement  of 
pleasure. 

Laverne  went  to  the  dance  with  great  gladness  of 
heart  and  a  strange  freedom.  Victor  danced  with  the 
Doncaster  girls  first,  they  were  the  hostesses.  Then 
it  came  Laverne's  turn,  and  they  had  a  delightful  time 
between  the  figures. 

"  Oh,  do  you  remember  how  frightened  you  were 
that  night  at  Uncle  Personette's  ?  I  really  made  you 
dance,  didn't  I?  I  wonder  that  you  were  not  vexed. 
Was  I  worse  than  importunate  ?  "  laughing. 

"  Oh,  I  thought  you  were  so  good,  so  delightful,  to 
take  the  trouble.  And  I  was  such  a  child.  There 
were  so  many  big  girls.  How  could  I  have  been  vexed  ? 
That  would  have  been  ungrateful." 

"  We  have  always  been  such  friends.  And  now  I 
shall  venture  to  call  on  you.  I  had  a  fancy  that  Mrs. 
Westbury  didn't  quite  like — well,  of  course,  you  were 
not  in  society.  Customs  are  different." 


290    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  You  are  going  back  so  soon."  She  said  it  with  a 
most  adorable  little  sagh. 

"  There  will  be  the  Easter  vacation,  and  we  must 
make  the  best  of  this.  When  I  am  away  I  shall  think 
of  you  half  the  time.  Let  us  see.  Can't  we  make  a  plan 
— just  at  twilight,  let  us  say.  No  matter  where  we  are 
we  will  send  a  thought  to  each  other.  There's  a  queer 
new  belief,  magnetism  or  some  such  thing,  that  you 
can  send  an  influence  to  your  friends  across  any  space, 
that  if  you  sit  still  a  few  moments  and  think  of  them 
they  will  respond." 

"  Oh,  that  is  a  most  felicitous  thought !  "  Could  she 
make  Uncle  Jason  or  any  one  think  of  her  in  that  man- 
ner? 

"  Let  us  promise — just  at  twilight." 

Some  one  took  her  in  the  next  figure.  What  a  slim, 
graceful  girl  she  was.  How  like  a  bird  she  skimmed 
along  when  she  ran  races  with  Elena !  And  how  they 
had  scrambled  over  rocks  and  sat  on  the  summits  over- 
looking the  ocean!  There  were  no  such  fascinating 
memories  with  any  other  human  being.  There  was  no 
one  quite  like  her. 

And  they  did  have  a  merry,  delightful  time.  A 
week  of  going  somewhere  every  day,  of  chances  to  slip 
in  bits  of  charming  confidences,  of  strolls  in  the  old 
Museum  and  other  famous  places,  and  then  it  came  to 
an  end. 

Fred  and  Savedra,  friends  as  they  were,  dropped  in 
to  say  good-by.  Mrs.  Westbury  was  present.  He 
went  over  and  took  her  hand — what  magnificent  rubies 
those  were! 

"  I  want  to  thank  you  for  a  great  deal  of  courtesy," 


TO  SEE  YOU  ONCE  AGAIN  2gi 

he  said,  "  and  much  pleasure.  And  now  we  must  both 
return  to  our  old  pastures  and  dig  away  at  the  dry 
roots  and  forget  about  everything  but  the  exams." 
He  shook  hands  quietly  with  both  ladies. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  GUIDING  FINGER 

AGNES  WESTBURY  watched  her  stepdaughter  closely 
when  the  two  young  men  were  gone.  She  did  not 
droop.  She  was  happy  and  serene,  compliant  with 
whatever  was  proposed.  She  made  some  visits  to  the 
hospital  with  Miss  Doncaster;  that  was  safe  enough. 
Charity  had  not  come  to  be  a  fad  then,  though  there 
were  many  earnest  workers. 

Mr.  Westbury  and  Lord  Wrexford  took  a  run  over 
to  Paris.  After  that  he  was  a  frequent  visitor.  Mrs. 
Westbury  had  a  curious  charm  for  him.  She  was  so 
intelligent  that  he  sometimes  forgot  it  was  like  talking 
to  a  man. 

"  You  American  women  know  about  your  husband's 
business  and  never  seem  to  think  it  a  bore,"  he  said 
one  evening.  "  Ours  do  take  an  interest  in  politics  when 
their  husbands  are  up.  And  you  have  the  art  of  mak- 
ing attractive  homes.  Now,  the  average  person  would 
have  a  certain  stiffness  about  this  place "  The  be- 
longings were  of  the  regulation  sort,  and  individual 
taste  was  hardly  comprehended. 

She  had  added  some  easy  chairs,  an  odd  and  pretty 
table,  with  a  series  of  shelves  to  hold  books  of  engrav- 
ings, and  portraits  of  celebrated  authors  and  artists, 
several  fine  vases  disposed  around,  and  these  articles 

292 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  293 

announced  with  an  air  "  we  belong  to  the  present  mis- 
tress," the  furniture  belongs  to  the  house. 

"  I  like  to  take  some  comfort  and  not  be  continually 
fretted  with  surroundings.  As  we  are  living  in  fur- 
nished houses  mostly,  I  can't  suit  myself.  I  don't  pre- 
tend to.  I  just  have  a  little  and  dream  of  what  will  be 
when  we  are  permanently  settled." 

"  I  wonder  if  that  will  be  here — in  London  ?  "  tenta- 
tively. 

"  I  think  I  shall  not  go  back  to  America, '  the  States/ 
as  you  call  it,"  smiling  a  little.  "  I  shall  have  Laverne 
to  keep  me  company  if  Mr.  Westbury  has  to  take  a 
business  journey.  I  confess  to  a  fondness  for  the 
older  civilization.  Our  land  is  still  in  an  undeniably 
crude  state.  But  so  were  you  a  few  centuries  back." 

This  woman  had  a  curious  charm  in  her  frankness, 
that  was  never  rude  even  in  its  most  truthful  moments. 
There  was  something  about  her  that  he  could  not  de- 
fine, and  that  kept  him  studying  and  full  of  interest, 
watching  the  next  turn.  If  it  was  art,  it  was  the  most 
judiciously  managed.  If  it  was  due  to  temperament, 
then,  indeed,  she  had  a  many-sided  nature.  She  kept 
young,  but  it  was  not  the  shy  simplicity  of  her  daugh- 
ter, she  seemed  to  have  a  wide  range  of  knowledge,  but 
she  was  not  pedantic,  not  obtrusive.  There  were 
dainty  concessions  that  flattered  a  man,  little  em- 
bellishments that  seemed  an  understanding  of  a  man's 
mood,  too  delicate  for  him  to  pick  to  pieces,  if  he 
could.  Then  there  was  a  mysterious  charm  about  her 
attire,  a  French  adaptiveness  of  style,  of  something 
made  different  from  most  women,  with  a  touch  of  color, 
a  bow  or  a  flower.  She  was  a  pleasant  study. 


294    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Now  and  then  she  delicately  drew  Laverne  into  the 
talk.  She  asked  her  to  bring  over  the  portfolio  of 
Albert  Diirer's  engravings  they  had  bought  only  a  few 
days  before,  and  draw  up  the  small  buhl  stand.  Then 
they  discussed  them  and  Holland;  she  had  been  read- 
ing up  a  volume  of  travels  that  very  morning,  and  was 
as  fresh  as  if  she  had  just  come  from  there.  Laverne 
was  appealed  to  for  this  or  that.  She  was  not  kept  in 
the  background,  but  she  seemed  always  flying  there 
with  adorable  shyness. 

Afterward  in  his  own  room,  smoking  his  pipe,  he 
thought  the  matter  over,  as  he  often  did.  He  had 
been  rescued  from  an  esclandre,  his  father  had  been 
buried  as  became  one  of  the  old  line  of  Wrexfords. 
He  could  go  back  to  the  Grange  with  a  certain  prestige. 
He  might  be  asked  to  stand  for  Chediston.  There 
would  be  no  more  straits  and  pinches  of  poverty,  and 
he  had  suffered  a  good  many  during  the  last  three 
years.  All  this  smooth  sailing  was  conditioned  on  his 
marrying  Laverne  Westbury.  She  was  a  nice  enough 
young  girl,  but  he  had  had  a  surfeit  of  young  girls.  It 
would  be  hard  to  bridge  over  the  seventeen  years  be- 
tween them,  very  hard  for  her. 

If  it  was  the  mother  instead!  Not  being  her  own 
daughter  she  was  hardly  likely  to  resemble  her  more 
as  time  went  on.  He  had  a  vague  feeling  that  the 
child  was  something  less  than  money-making  in  her 
father's  life.  All  this  matter  was  largely  in  her 
mother's  hands,  and  if  the  threads  were  not  wisely 
pulled,  Wrexford  Grange  would  be  in  her  hands,  too. 
Yes,  if  she  were  single. 

For  the  present  he  was  out  of  society  proper.     He 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  295 

went  to  his  club,  he  called  on  a  few  old  friends,  and 
he  was  taking  a  rather  curious  interest  in  one  of  the 
new  companies.  He  really  might  be  a  rich  man 
again. 

So  passed  away  a  month  or  two.  Mrs.  Westbury 
had  meant  to  push  Laverne  into  society,  perhaps  have 
her  "  presented  "  at  some  Court  drawing  room  in  the 
season.  But  as  Lady  Wrexford  it  would  have  a  much 
greater  effect.  There  could  be  a  marriage  four  or  five 
months  after  the  old  lord's  death. 

Was  Laverne  ignorant  of  the  trend  of  all  this? 
She  was  thinking  that  at  Easter  she  should  see  Victor 
again,  and  that  would  be  another  bit  of  the  old  life  to 
sustain  her  exile.  So  she  listened  with  only  half  atten- 
tion to  hints  and  suggestions.  She  knew  her  father 
had  invested  a  good  deal  of  money  in  Wrexford 
Grange,  and  that  her  mother  liked  Lord  Wrexford, 
that  as  they  were  not  very  gay  he  enjoyed  dropping  in, 
that  he  was  their  attendant  on  various  occasions  of  the 
soberer  sort. 

David  Westbury  said  to  his  wife :  "  You  had  better 
state  the  case  to  her.  She  has  some  of  that  New 
England  obtuseness.  Well,  she  is  very  young.  We 
have  grown  much  wiser  in  the  world's  ways  since  that 
early  period  of  our  lives.  It  is  the  gain  of  experience," 
with  a  short,  brusque  laugh. 

Then  he  kissed  her.  She  always  exacted  that,  and 
it  was  generally  freely  given. 

"  I  may  not  be  back  until  late  to-night,"  he  said. 

It  was  a  miserable  day,  with  a  blinding  fog  that  had 
better  have  been  a  rain.  Laverne  practiced  two  hours 
instead  of  one,  then  she  read  aloud  in  a  novel  of  the 


296     A  LITTLE  GIRE  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

day.  There  was  luncheon;  some  dawdling  and  scold- 
ing about  the  weather. 

Once  Mrs.  Westbury  put  her  arms  about  Laverne 
and  looked  into  her  eyes  with  an  intense  expression. 

"  I  wonder  how  much  you  love  me  ?  "  in  a  caressing, 
pleading  tone.  "  I'm  trying  to  do  all  the  nice  things 
I  can  for  you ;  what  would  you  do  for  me  ?  " 

"  Why — there  is  nothing  I  could  do,"  with  a  delicate 
emphasis.  Surely  she  could  not  spend  all  her  life  with 
Mrs.  Westbury — making  that  mental  reservation. 

"  You  could  do  something  that  would  repay,  that 
would  give  your  father  and  myself  the  greatest  happi- 
ness." 

She  was  not  destined  to  hear  it  just  then.  Some 
styles  had  been  sent  from  the  dressmaker's,  would  Mrs. 
Westbury  look  them  over  and  choose  which  suited  her  ? 

She  was  having  a  lavender  satin  made,  and  here 
were  also  patterns  of  lace  for  the  trimming.  So  they 
discussed  them.  Then  the  postman,  a  few  invitations 
to  answer.  It  was  so  dark  the  house  was  lighted  up. 
Laverne  went  to  the  piano  again  and  tried  to  catch 
some  of  the  elusive  things  she  had  learned  from  Isola 
Savedra.  She  could  see  the  lovely,  half-tropical  home, 
hear  the  sweet  voices,  smell  the  fragrances  of  a  hundred 
blooms.  Ah,  how  lovely  it  must  be  on  that  Pacific 
slope.  She  could  have  cried  with  rapture  and  pain. 

Dinner,  then  a  long  evening.  No  one  came  in. 
Laverne  read,  hardly  taking  in  an  impression. 

"  Put  up  the  book,  Laverne."  The  voice  was  per- 
suasive, but  it  struck  a  chord  of  fear  in  the  girl's  soul. 
"  Your  father  wished  me  to  lay  a  subject  before  you 
that  is  very  near  his  heart,  that  would  really  crown 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  297 

his  endeavors  for  wealth  and  standing.  And  it  is  my 
desire  as  well.  I  think  I  have  always  studied  your 
welfare  from  the  time  I  snatched  you  out  of  that  crude, 
half-barbarous  life.  And  a  third  person's  happiness  is 
at  stake." 

Laverne  shivered.  A  sudden  light  broke  in  upon 
her.  She  had  half  fancied  that  she  had  been  used  as 
a  sort  of  blind  that  her  mother  might  enjoy  Lord  West- 
bury 's  society,  but  if  it  should  be 

"  What  an  odd  girl  you  are,  not  a  bit  curious  ?  So 
I  must  put  my  story  in  plain  terms/' 

It  was  embellished.  In  business  statements  Mrs. 
Westbury  could  come  to  the  point  quickly,  but  she  did 
somehow  dread  this  a  little,  for  she  began  to  mistrust 
the  girl  she  had  fancied  would  be  easily  convinced. 
She  went  briefly  over  the  commercial  side,  and  sug- 
gested this  had  been  done  because  Lord  Wrexford  had 
taken  a  great  fancy  to  her  the  first  evening  he  had  met 
her  at  the  Thorleys.  For  her  sake  and  for  her  ad- 
vantage her  father  had  rescued  Wrexford  Grange. 
Any  girl  would  be  proud  of  such  an  opportunity. 
Lord  Wrexford  was  getting  impatient,  and  desired  to 
make  his  proposal,  though  the  marriage  would  not  be 
hurried  unduly. 

"  I  saw  you  were  not  dreaming  of  such  a  thing,  and 
your  father  thought  I  had  better  prepare  you  a  little. 
Think,  Laverne,  a  simple  American  girl  becoming  Lady 
Wrexford!" 

Laverne  threw  herself  at  Mrs.  Westbury's  feet,  and 
buried  her  face  on  the  elder's  lap,  shuddering  in  every 
limb. 

"  Oh,  I  cannot !     I  cannot !  "  she  cried  passionately. 


298     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

"  No,  do  not  ask  me.  I  cannot  love  him,  he  does  not 
love  me.  Why,  it  is  like  being  sold " 

"  Hush,  you  silly  girl.  There  is  no  being  sold  about 
it.  He  has  asked  for  your  hand  honorably.  It  is  a 
chance  out  of  a  thousand.  Any  girl  would  jump  at 
it.  Your  father  put  his  money  in  the  Grange  for  you, 
and  you  will  be  a  most  ungrateful  daughter  not  to 
accede  to  his  wishes.  When  you  have  made  up  your 
mind  you  will  find  Lord  Wrexford  most  agreeable. 
It  can  be  a  late  spring  marriage,  and  you  really  will 
be  the  envy  of  many  a  high-born  girl  when  you  step 
among  them.  You  can  be  presented  at  the  last  draw- 
ing room,  Lady  Wrexford !  Why,  you  would  be  worse 
than  an  idiot  to  refuse  it." 

Laverne  rose.  "  No,  I  cannot — I  cannot,"  shudder- 
ing. 

"  Your  father  will  have  his  say  to-morrow.  There, 
no  words.  You  can  go  to  your  room,  and  resolve  that 
you  will  pay  due  respect  to  your  father.  You  are 
under  age." 

She  was  glad  to  go.  Oh,  yes,  she  had  been  blind. 
For  the  last  month  Lord  Wrexford  had  really  been  their 
devoted  admirer.  Most  of  his  conversation  had  been 
addressed  to  Mrs.  Westbury.  Yet  he  had  watched  her 
closely,  she  recalled  that  now.  He  had  shown  a  delicate 
solicitude  in  many  things.  Oh,  could  it  be  possible  that 
he  really  cared  for  her !  That  would  make  it  so  much 
harder.  And  how  could  she  meet  her  father,  how  defy 
him!  Yes,  she  was  really  afraid  of  him.  Oh,  if  he 
would  only  be  angry  and  send  her  back  to  California ! 

She  opened  the  window  as  if  she  could  look  across 
to  the  old  home.  The  fog  was  absolute  blackness, 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER 


299 


chilling,  penetrating  every  nerve.  She  shut  it  down 
again,  but  the  breath  of  it  seemed  to  strangle  her.  She 
did  not  cry,  her  terror  and  dread  were  too  deep  for 
tears. 

She  would  hear  him  come  home  presently,  his 
full,  strong  voice,  and  they  would  talk  it  over.  So 
she  listened  and  listened.  The  clocks  inside  struck 
midnight,  then  the  small  hours.  Would  she  never  get 
to  sleep! 

Somewhere  toward  dawn  there  was  a  sharp  clang  of 
the  bell,  and  strange  voices.  Then  hurried  steps  up 
and  down,  Mrs.  Westbury  giving  a  shriek,  crying  out 
confusedly,  calling  the  maid,  going  downstairs,  then 
a  carriage  driving  away,  and  the  servants  still  talking. 
She  opened  her  door. 

"  Oh,  what  is  it,  what  is  it?  "  she  asked. 

"  We  were  not  to  disturb  you,  Miss  Laverne." 

"  But  I  was  awake.  I  heard — has  Mrs.  Westbury 
gone  away  ?  Oh,  did  something  happen  to  father  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Miss.  He  was  hurt,  knocked  down  somehow, 
and  taken  to  the  hospital.  But  I  guess  it  will  all  be 
right.  It's  natural  he  would  want  Mrs.  Westbury." 

Laverne  threw  herself  down  on  the  bed,  shocked. 
One  would  never  think  of  associating  death  with  that 
active,  robust  physique.  Oh,  no,  it  would  not  be  that, 
only  some  hurt.  And  if  he  should  be  ill  and  ask  this 
great  sacrifice  of  her ! 

There  was  no  word  the  next  morning.  The  butler 
had  even  forgotten  to  inquire  what  was  the  name  of  the 
hospital.  Laverne  did  not  want  any  breakfast,  she 
wandered  from  room  to  room,  she  sat  down  at  the 
piano  and  played  a  few  melancholy  tunes.  How  hard 


300     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

the  uncertainty  was!  Her  very  fingers  grew  nerve- 
less. 

At  noon  Lord  Wrexford  came.  He  was  so  gentle 
and  sympathetic  that  her  heart  almost  went  out  to  him. 
He  told  the  story  with  a  tender  gravity.  Whether  in 
the  dense  fog  Mr.  Westbury  had  missed  his  carriage 
or  slipped  and  fallen  no  one  knew.  An  oncoming  horse 
had  stepped  on  him,  and  the  injury  was  severe.  There 
had  been  an  operation ' 

"  But  he  will  not  die !  He  cannot  die !  He  is  so 
strong — Oh,  surely,  surely "  and  her  voice  broke. 

"  My  dear  child,  we  must  wait  and  see.  I  am  going 
back.  Mrs.  Westbury  will  stay " 

He  had  not  the  courage  to  say  that  a  few  hours 
would  end  it  all.  The  young,  grief-stricken  face 
touched  his  heart.  Yes,  he  would  make  her  a  good,  kind 
husband.  If  he  were  free  to  choose  he  would  not 
select  her  from  all  the  women  he  knew,  but  now  the 
marriage  would  be  imperative,  and  he  would  do  his 
best. 

That  evening  he  brought  Mrs.  Westbury  home.  She 
would  not  see  Laverne,  but  went  at  once  to  her  room. 
He  told  the  child  the  story  as  far  as  any  one  could 
learn  the  particulars.  A  horse's  hoof  had  injured  the 
skull,  crushed  it  in  so  that  there  was  only  a  very  faint 
hope  from  the  first,  but  he  worded  it  delicately,  and 
stayed  in  the  library  all  day,  receiving  the  body  when 
it  came,  seeing  various  people,  and  having  one  inter- 
view with  Mrs.  Westbury.  After  that  she  sent  for 
Laverne,  and  they  wept  together  in  each  other's  arms. 
Laverne  thought  she  must  have  loved  him,  she  was  so 
shocked  by  his  fate. 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  301 

It  was  a  distressing  occurrence  to  all  his  friends,  and 
he  had  won  many.  Beside  there  was  the  great  ques- 
tion of  what  the  two  companies  were  to  do  without 
the  working  head.  Lord  Wrexford  proved  himself 
invaluable  through  these  troublous  days. 

A  sad  Easter  it  was.  The  Doncasters  and  others 
brought  their  warmest  sympathy.  Victor  Savedra 
came,  and  the  pale  girl  in  her  deep  mourning  went  at 
once  to  the  heart  that  had  thought  of  her  daily  and 
kept  tryst.  'Ah,  how  should  she  tell  him  that  since  that 
fatal  night  she  had  not !  For  now  she  began  to  under- 
stand the  great  reason  why  she  could  never  come  to 
care  for  Lord  Wrexford.  He  had  not  asked  her  to 
marry  him,  but  somehow  he  had  taken  a  lover's  au- 
thority. 

Mrs.  Westbury  had  many  subjects  to  revolve  in  her 
mind,  and  was  alarmed  at  first  lest  matters  might  go 
wrong.  So  she  accepted  and  acted  upon  the  fact  that 
Lord  Wrexford  should  be  her  son-in-law.  She  would 
not  give  up  the  chance  of  this  connection  with  nobility. 
Besides  Lord  Wrexford  was  necessary. 

Affairs  were  found  in  excellent  order,  and  Mr.  West- 
bury  gained  in  the  esteem  of  the  directors.  But  now 
the  company  must  assume  the  responsibility. 

The  new  method  of  separating  ore  had  been  patented 
in  both  countries,  and  was  invaluable.  Lord  Wrexford, 
it  was  assumed,  had  been  a  kind  of  confidential  secre- 
tary and  his  knowledge  must  be  devoted  to  the  com- 
pany. Mrs.  Westbury  had  large  interests,  he  was 
made  her  agent  at  once. 

Now,  it  was  found  that  he  had  willed  everything  to 
his  wife,  who  was  to  make  such  settlements  on  his 


302    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN   FRANCISCO 

daughter  as  she  considered  best.  And  she  held  the 
right  to  Wrexford  Grange. 

She  demanded  the  utmost  affection  and  sympathy 
from  Laverne. 

"  Of  course,  you  cannot  understand  all  that  he  was 
to  me.  Marriage  interprets  one  to  the  other.  And 
you  have  only  known  him  such  a  brief  while.  Then,  I 
think  these  placid  natures  cannot  love  and  suffer  like 
the  more  intense  ones.  The  shock  has  nearly  killed 
me.  Oh,  do  comfort  me !  You  are  all  I  have  left." 

Laverne  tried  earnestly.  But  she  noted  that  she 
quickly  overcame  a  paroxysm  of  grief  when  Lord 
Wrexford  or  the  lawyer  came,  and  could  spend  hours 
over  the  business. 

"  Of  course,"  she  said,  a  few  weeks  afterward,  "  the 
marriage  must  be  put  off  a  while,  but  it  is  more  neces- 
sary than  ever.  Your  father  felt  you  were  too  young 
to  be  made  independent.  The  Grange  was  to  be  your 
dowry  on  your  wedding  day — to  you  and  your  children. 
The  marriage  can  be  rather  a  quiet  one,  and  in  six 
months,  under  the  circumstances,  you  can  lay  your 
mourning  aside.  Meanwhile  we  may  be  considering 
the  trousseau.  We  can  go  to  Paris " 

Laverne  threw  herself  at  her  stepmother's  feet,  and 
clasped  her  hands  in  entreaty.  "  Oh,  do  not,  do  not 
compel  me,"  she  cried,  in  anguish.  "  I  do  not  care  for 
the  Grange  nor  the  money.  If  you  will  only  send  me 
back  to  America " 

"  I  shall  not  send  yon  back.  I  am  your  natural, 
lawful  guardian  now.  I  shall  do  what  I  consider  best 
for  you,  and  in  the  years  to  come  you  will  thank  me  for 
it.  There,  we  will  have  no  discussion/' 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER 


303 


What  should  she  do?  A  dozen  plans  came  and 
went  through  her  brain.  She  remembered  how  Car- 
men Estenega  had  run  away  from  a  hateful  marriage. 
But  she  had  an  ardent  lover.  This  would  be  such  a 
long  journey,  and  she  would  have  no  friends  on  the 
way.  Should  she  appeal  to  Victor  ?  Oh,  no,  she  could 
not.  Yet  she  had  a  consciousness  that  he  would  re- 
spond at  once. 

She  was  coming  to  have  a  strange  fear  of  Mrs.  West- 
bury,  as  if  she  might  dominate  all  her  life.  Surely  she 
would  if  this  marriage  should  take  place.  Oh,  it  could 
not.  She  would  not  consent  even  at  the  last  moment. 
No  one  was  forced  to  marry.  Ah,  would  not  Carmen 
have  been  forced? 

Lord  Wrexford  came  and  went.  There  were  visits 
from  lawyers  and  directors,  and  calls  of  condolence. 
A  certain  kind  of  peace,  but  it  seemed  like  an  armed 
truce.  And  Laverne  realized  more  thoroughly  every 
day  that  there  had  never  been  any  true  and  tender  love 
for  her  in  Mrs.  Westbury's  heart.  She  was  older  now, 
and  could  see  more  clearly,  had  more  discrimination, 
yet  she  did  wonder  why  her  father's  wife  had  been  so 
exigent.  She  could  not  understand  the  vanity,  the 
selfish  desire  for  the  admiration  of  this  young  soul. 
And  she  also  saw  that  Mrs.  Westbury  sought  her  own 
advantage  in  this  marriage.  To  be  allied  to  the  higher 
orders,  to  be  the  mother-in-law  to  Lord  Wrexford,  to 
have  the  entree  into  the  charmed  circles.  How  had 
she  grown  so  wise ! 

She  thought  of  her  father  with  infinite  pity,  that  he 
should  have  been  wrenched  out  of  the  life  he  enjoyed 
so  much.  She  felt  that  he  had  never  truly  loved  her, 


304     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

and  that  she  had  not  succeeded  in  loving  him.  Always 
her  heart  was  turning  back  to  Uncle  Jason.  Yes,  that 
was  the  sweet,  tender,  and  true  life,  finer  and  nobler 
than  this  striving  and  subterfuge,  this  greediness  for 
wealth  and  high  places. 

Lord  Wrexford  came  one  afternoon,  quite  a  custom 
with  him  now.  Mrs.  Westbury  had  been  sent  for  to 
some  important  meeting.  He  walked  in  with  the  easy 
familiarity  that  characterized  him,  and  passed  a  few 
pleasant  conventionalities.  How  many  times  she  had 
thought  if  she  could  see  him  alone,  and  now  that  the 
opportunity  had  come  she  trembled  with  a  certain  kind, 
of  fear  and  shame.  What  could  she  say  to  a  man  who 
had  not  yet  asked  her  to  marry  him  ? 

He  began  to  perceive  that  she  was  unduly  excited. 
The  color  wavering  over  her  face  and  the  quivering  lips 
touched  him.  He  was  not  a  heartless  man,  and  every 
day  he  was  feeling  this  was  more  of  a  dilemma  for 
him. 

"  My  child/'  he  began,  rather  blunderingly,  realizing 
all  the  years  between  them,  and  then  he  saw  that  her 
eyes  were  overflowing. 

"  Lord  Wrexford,"  she  tried  to  steady  her  voice,  but 
it  trembled  noticeably,  "  I  believe  I  have  been  offered 
to  you  as — as — an  equivalent " 

"  No,  don't  put  it  that  way,"  he  interrupted  quickly. 
"  Your  father  was  very  honorable." 

"  I  do  not  know  much  about  marriage,  but  it  seems 
as  if " 

"As  if  youth  and  love  should  go  hand  in  hand? 
Middle  age  and  money  may  make  a  dicker.  But  if 
there  were  love,  or  if  the  title  won  you  in  any  degree," 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  305 

and  he  knew  there  were  some  who  would  have  been 
won  even  by  poverty  and  a  title  with  the  background  of 
the  Grange. 

"  I  do  not  love  you,"  she  said  simply.  "  It  seems 
ungrateful  when  you  have  been  both  kind  and  patient. 

Indeed,  I  have  been  trying "  There  was  such  a 

wistful  cadence  to  her  tremulous  voice  that  it  touched 
him,  man  of  the  world  as  he  was.  The  slow  tears 
dropped  from  her  lashes,  but  she  could  not  raise  her 
eyes,  though  there  was  entreaty  in  every  line  of  her 
slight  figure,  even  in  the  limp  hands  that  hung  by 
her  side. 

"  And  a  love  that  is  forced  is  no  love  at  all.  But 
you  must  realize  the  sacrifice  you  will  make,  and  con- 
sider. It  will  be  more  than  giving  up  a  title.  Every- 
thing is  in  your  mother's  hands " 

"  Oh,  I  have  told  her  that  I  do  not  care  for  the 
money.  I  remembered  so  little  of  papa  that  he  seemed 
an  utter  stranger  to  me,  and — some  one  had  loved  and 
adopted  me  before.  She  knows  I  wish  to  go  back 
home " 

Her  voice  faltered  and  broke. 

"  You  are  a  brave  little  girl,"  he  exclaimed  admir- 
ingly. "  An  honest  and  true  one,  and  you  deserve  to 
be  happy,  to  love  some  one  who  has  love  and  youth 
to  give  in  return."  Did  she  know  such  a  one ?  "I 
think  you  are  not  taking  root  here." 

"  You  know  mamma  is  not  any  real  relation/*  she 
began  as  if  in  apology.  "  She  has  been  very  kind  and 
indulgent  to  me.  I  would  like  to  please  her.  But,  oh, 
I  would  so  much  rather  have  been  left  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. My  dear  uncle  would  not  have  gone  away.  We 


306     A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

should  have  been  poor,  for  he  had  just  lost  everything 
in  a  dreadful  fire,  but  I  wouldn't  have  minded " 

"  My  dear  child,  you  shall  not  be  sacrificed."  He 
wanted  to  take  the  drooping  figure  in  his  arms,  and 
kiss  away  the  tears  that  rolled  silently  over  the  softly 
rounded  cheeks.  She  looked  so  fragile  in  her  black 
frock.  If  she  could  be  his  little  sister!  But  he  had 
nothing  to  dower  her  with,  he  would  even  lose  the 
Grange  himself.  But  he  said,  "  Do  not  give  yourself 
any  further  uneasiness,  I  will  see  Mrs.  Westbury." 

"  Oh,  thank  you  a  thousand  times ! "  She  did  not 
know  how  adorably  her  face  lighted  up.  Yes,  if  she 
had  loved  him  it  might  have  done.  And  if  the  race  of 
Wrexford  died  out  with  him  what  matter  ? 

Laverne  felt  so  much  more  friendly  toward  him  that 
she  could  not  help  showing  it.  Mrs.  Westbury  hailed 
this  with  delight. 

"  Have  you  asked,  and  has  she  accepted  ?  "  she  in- 
quired one  afternoon  when  they  were  alone. 

It  was  a  warm  day,  and  she  defied  custom  sufficiently 
to  lay  aside  heavy  crapes  indoors.  Her  gown  was  of 
some  thin  black  stuff,  trailing  and  cloud-like.  Her 
arms,  that  were  well  shaped,  showed  through  in  their 
whiteness,  and  she  often  used  them  in  a  caressing  sort 
of  manner.  Her  throat  had  the  delicate  prettiness  of 
art,  and  she  looked  really  younger  in  this  half  sim- 
plicity. The  fragrance  and  quiet  of  the  room  seemed 
to  be  a  perfect  setting  for  her,  and  it  made  her  sug- 
gestive, attractive  to  the  verge  of  fascination. 

"  Neither,"  he  said,  drawing  nearer.  "  We  under- 
stand each  other.  When  the  time  comes,  a  year  hence 
or  less,  perhaps,  I  am  going  to  ask  you  to  accept  the 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  307 

title  to  Wrexford  Grange.  It  will  suit  me  worlds  bet- 
ter. I  have  outgrown  the  bread  and  butter  period." 

She  was  very  little  rouged,  and  a  color  flushed  up  in 
her  face.  She  had  cultivated  the  trick  of  this.  She 
was  versed  in  men's  meanings  and  knew  this  was  no 
idle  compliment.  But  she  was  surprised. 

"  Yes,  a  year  or  so,"  in  a  slow  charming  manner 
with  becoming  hesitation. 

"  Meanwhile  be  good  to  the  poor  little  thing." 

"  Since  you  plead  for  her.  I  confess  I  have  been 
somewhat  disappointed  in  her.  Perhaps  no  child  can 
be  quite  like  your  own.  She  wants  to  go  back  to 
America — shall  I  send  her  ?  " 

She  did  not  care  for  a  daughter  now.  As  Lady 
Wrexford  she  would  rather  have  all  the  homage.  The 
girl  had  been  useful.  There  are  people  who  can 
drop  one  easily  when  no  longer  needed.  Laverne 
Westbury  was  too  honest  to  be  a  comfortable  com- 
panion. And  then — what  if  Lord  Wrexford  should 
come  to  consider  a  younger  wife  preferable  ?  Men  did 
change  in  many  of  their  views,  she  had  learned  by  ex- 
perience. 

In  a  way  she  had  loved  David  Westbury.  He  was 
fond  of  caresses,  but  she  had  never  tired  him  of  them. 
She  was  proud  of  his  successes,  yet  she  had  a  conviction 
that  it  was  her  money  that  had  been  the  keynote  of 
prosperity.  He  was  one  of  the  men  who  dropped  an 
unsuccess  very  soon,  and  did  not  spend  his  energies 
fighting  his  way  through.  For  the  first  weeks  she  had 
been  crushed  by  the  loss,  and  this  she  said  to  herself 
was  because  of  her  deep  love  for  him.  When  she 
found  that  affairs  were  in  a  good  shape,  that  she  was 


3o8    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

a  rich  woman,  to  be  consulted  by  the  directors,  that  she 
still  held  many  things  in  her  hands,  and  that  she  would 
have  still  more  prestige  by  being  the  mother-in-law  of 
a  lord,  who  had  about  sown  all  his  wild  oats,  and  found 
the  crop  unprofitable;  Laverne  was  of  use  to  her. 
And  now  with  a  better  understanding  the  child  had 
become  something  of  a  trial.  She  was  no  longer  a 
half-blind  worshipper. 

"  What  friends  has  she  there  ?  "  he  asked  after  some 
consideration. 

"  Oh,  I  suppose  the  man  who  adopted  her  is  some- 
where— he  was  a  lover  of  her  own  mother.  And  there 
was  another  family  connected  with  the  Savedras — 
why,  there  is  the  young  man.  I  half  suspected  he  was 
a  rival  about  Christmas  time.  And  I'm  not  sure 
now " 

"  He  was  here  at  the  Easter  holidays.  Well,  that 
would  be  more  appropriate.  May  and  December,  you 
know,"  with  a  vague  smile. 

"  You  have  a  long  later  summer  and  autumn  before 
you  reach  December,"  and  she  raised  her  eyes  with  a 
look  of  appreciation,  and  that  admiration  which  always 
touches  a  man's  vanity.  "  I  will  not  have  you  growing 
old  too  fast.  And  I  think  almost  any  young  girl  would 
fall  in  love  with  you,  unless  there  was  some  prior  claim. 
Perhaps  there  was." 

"  He  returns  home  in  July.  Well,  why  not  give  him 
the  opportunity  ?  "  smiling  softly. 

She  looked  undecided. 

"At  least  give  her  a  choice.  I  do  admire  her 
sincerely.  Many  girls  would  not  have  refused  a 
title." 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  309 

She  knew  that.  And  Laverne's  refusal  was  going  to 
bring  her  the  best  of  good  fortune.  So  she  could  af- 
ford to  pardon  her  high  conscientiousness. 

"  I  will  have  a  talk  with  her.  If  we  cannot  make 
her  happy  here,  and  I  think  she  is  not  suited  to  this 
sort  of  life,  it  would  be  cruel  to  keep  her." 

The  reluctance  betokened  some  affection  on  Mrs. 
Westbury's  part,  he  thought,  though  he  could  not  divine 
the  secret  joy  this  new  aspect  had  brought  her.  She 
was  not  desirous  of  sharing  her  right  in  him  with  any- 
body. 

Laverne  waited  in  a  state  of  tremulous  fear  and 
expectation.  Mrs.  Westbury  was  quietly  gracious  at 
dinner.  Afterward  they  retired  to  the  library. 

"  Lord  Wrexford  came  to  me  this  afternoon  when 
you  had  dismissed  him,"  she  began  rather  severely. 

She  did  not  mean  to  be  too  lenient  with  the 
girl. 

"You  have  been  most  foolish  and  short-sighted," 
she  said.  "  And  knowing  that  it  was  your  father's 
dearest  wish,  his  plan  for  a  splendid  future.  The 
money  he  put  in  Wrexford  Grange  was  for  you.  He 
would  not  have  risked  his  money  merely  for  the  young 
man." 

"  I — I  couldn't  have  married  him.  Oh,  you  do  not 
understand " 

"  You  are  a  little  fool.  I  suppose  that  young  Savedra 
stood  in  the  way  ?  " 

Laverne  was  silent.  She  was  glad  she  had  her 
scarlet  face  turned  away. 

"  You  pride  yourself  on  truthfulness  and  honor,  yet 
you  have  been  underhand  and  deceitful.  You  have 


3io    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

carried  on  an  intrigue  with  a  lover  while  you  assumed 
a  sort  of  ultra  conscientiousness  toward  Lord  Wrex- 
ford " 

Laverne  rose  and  came  forward  in  the  light.  Now 
she  was  very  pale,  but  her  face  wore  a  high,  serene 
expression. 

"  You  accuse  me  unjustly,  Mrs.  Westbury,"  she  be- 
gan with  quiet  dignity,  that  awed  the  older  woman. 
"  I  have  carried  on  no  intrigue.  No  word  of  love  has 
been  uttered  between  us.  He  has  not  asked  me  any- 
thing that  you  and  Lord  Wrexford  might  not  hear. 
He  wrote  me  a  letter  of  condolence — if  you  would  like 
you  can  see  it.  It  called  for  no  answer.  We  had  been 
friends  since  childhood.  The  home  at  Oaklands  was 
like  a  second  home  to  me.  If  Victor  Savedra  had  been 
engaged  to  Amy  Doncaster  I  should  have  felt  just  the 
same  toward  Lord  Wrexford.  Oh,  I  think  he  under- 
stands it  better  than  you  do." 

"  You  needn't  be  so  tragic  about  it.  I  am  disap- 
pointed in  you.  I  hoped  to  have  a  daughter  who 
would  love  me  tenderly,  sincerely.  If  I  had  been  op- 
posed to  the  plan,  your  father  would  have  left  you  there 
in  that  wild  land  among  barbarians,  who  do  not  know 
what  to  do  with  their  gold,  when  they  have  dug  it  out 
of  the  ground." 

No,  it  was  not  for  any  real  love  for  her,  she  had 
known  that  this  long  while.  And  now  she  understood 
that  she  and  her  stepmother  were  on  lines  that  were 
too  dissimilar  for  friendship  even.  She  was  an  alien 
and  a  stranger,  she  would  drift  farther  and  farther 
away. 

"  You  seem  to  have  made  up  your  mind  that  you 


THE  GUIDING  FINGER  311 

cannot  be  happy  here,  that  my  regard  is  worth  very 
little.  Matters  have  changed  with  me  somewhat.  I 
shall  not  keep  this  house,  I  must  get  away  from  the 
remembrance  that  my  dear  husband  has  lain  dead  in 
it,  after  the  awful  tragedy.  And  if  you  have  any 
choice " 

"  Oh,  I  have,  I  have !  Send  me  back  home,  that  is 
all  I  ask.  And — I  do  not  want  the  money.  My 
father's  wish  that  you  should  have  it  all  was  right 
enough.  You  see,  I  never  seemed  like  a  real  child  to 
him.  I  do  not  think  he  cared  much  for  my  mother. 
Yes,  let  me  go " 

The  voice  with  its  pathos  did  pierce  Agnes  West- 
bury's  heart,  but  there  were  so  many  motives  ranged 
on  the  other  side,  and  she  persuaded  herself  that  the 
child  really  had  been  ungrateful  and  was  incapable  of 
any  ardent  or  sustained  feeling.  It  would  be  much 
better  for  them  to  part. 

"  I  will  consider,"  she  said  languidly.  "  Now  go, 
I  have  a  headache,  and  these  scenes  are  too  much  for 
me  in  my  weak  and  excited  state.  I  have  had  so 
much  sorrow  to  bear." 

"  Good-night,"  Laverne  said.  She  did  not  offer  the 
kiss  that  after  it  had  failed  to  be  tenderness,  remained 
a  perfunctory  duty,  but  now  had  ceased  to  be  even 
that. 

"  Good-night,  to  you.  Mine  will  be  wretched  enough, 
they  always  are." 

But  after  a  few  moments'  thought,  and  when  La- 
verne had  dismissed  the  maid  on  the  upper  landing, 
she  stepped  briskly  over  to  the  desk,  turned  up  the  light, 
and  wrote  a  letter  to  Victor  Savedra. 


3i2    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Fate  or  Providence  had  played  into  her  hands  al- 
ways. She  would  be  very  decorous  and  observe  the 
strictest  propriety,  but  she  counted  up  the  months  that 
must  elapse  before  she  could  be  Lady  Wrexford.  She 
had  her  lover  in  her  own  hands. 


CHAPTER  XX 

AN   ENCHANTED  JOURNEY 

WAS  it  a  happy  dream  Laverne  Savedra  kept  asking- 
herself,  out  on  the  broad  ocean  with  no  land  in  sight 
and  the  great  vault  overhead,  that  by  night  filled  up 
with  myriads  of  stars,  that  by  day  was  a  great  un- 
known country  over  which  other  ships  went  drifting  to 
ports  beyond  mortal  ken.  It  was  a  much  longer  jour- 
ney then,  but  going  round  the  world  would  not  have 
been  too  long  for  all  the  confidences  she  and  her  hus- 
band never  wearied  of  exchanging. 

She  felt  a  little  confused  that  he  should  have  ap- 
peared so  suddenly,  with  such  a  brave  air,  and  in  the 
long  talk  told  all  his  doubts  and  fears,  the  whisper  he 
had  heard  that  she  was  likely  to  marry  Lord  Wrexford, 
and  that  he  found  he  had  loved  her  since  that 
first  evening  they  had  danced  together.  And  when  he 
heard  that,  he  felt  he  had  no  right  to  keep  a  tryst  with 
her  in  the  twilight,  but  still  he  could  not  put  her  out 
of  his  thoughts.  And  to  him  Lord  Wrexford  seemed 
quite  a  middle-aged  man,  and  he  wondered  if  the 
Grange,  said  to  be  one  of  the  fine  old  estates  in  that 
shire,  had  won  her  with  perhaps  the  persuasion  of  her 
parents.  Then  her  father's  sudden  and  terrible  death 
had  deterred  him  from  a  wild  dream  of  coming  to  press 
his  claim,  for  he  was  not  sure  her  regard  was  more 

313 


3i4    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

than  a  childish  preference.  And  he,  too,  had  been 
brought  up  to  respect  parental  authority.  Then,  there 
were  so  many  regulations  in  English  society  that  he 
feared  to  transgress,  and  he  was  desperately  busy  with 
examination  papers,  and  now  all  that  trouble  was  ended, 
and  he  should  rejoice  his  father's  heart  by  his  degrees. 
But  there  never  would  be  any  place  to  him  like  his  be- 
loved California,  so  rich  in  treasures  of  the  God-sent 
kind,  if  she  could  not  boast  great  universities  and  pic- 
ture galleries  and  libraries.  They  would  all  come  in 
time. 

Mrs.  Westbury  had  insisted  upon  one  condition. 
He  was  to  destroy  her  letter  and  never  make  any  men- 
tion of  it.  For  Laverne,  with  her  ultra  delicate  notions, 
might  resent  being  offered  to  another  lover.  He 
was  to  come  as  any  friend  might  and  learn  for  him- 
self. 

She  had  thought  of  the  difficulty  of  sending  the  child 
on  such  a  long  journey  with  only  a  maid.  It  was  not 
merely  crossing  the  ocean — for  then  there  was  no  cable 
and  even  telegraph  communications  were  apt  to  be 
interrupted.  But  if  she  could  be  really  married  and  in 
a  husband's  care,  the  way  would  be  clear. 

Victor  Savedra  had  hesitated  a  little.  They  would 
hardly  fail  to  accord  Laverne  a  warm  welcome ;  but 
when  his  father  had  been  so  indulgent  to  him,  to  take 
such  an  important  step  without  his  knowledge !  But 
there  was  no  other  course. 

"  I'll  give  you  a  generous  trousseau,  Laverne,"  she 
said,  "  but  your  father's  property  is  so  tied  up  in  stocks 
and  various  things  that  I  hardly  know  where  to  turn 
for  money  for  myself." 


AN   ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  315 

"  Oh,  please  do  not  think  about  the  money.     I  am 

glad  you  are  not  displeased  about — about "  and  she 

colored   deeply.     "  Indeed,   I   never  thought  of  Mr. 
Savedra  as  a  lover.    We  had  been  such  friends " 

"  To  have  you  Lady  Wrexford  would  have  been  very 
flattering  to  me,  seeing  that  you  were  hardly  in  society. 
But  your  refusal  was  so  decided,  and  I  must  say,  he 
took  it  in  a  very  gentlemanly  manner.  It  might  have 
cost  me  my  friend,  even,  and  I  should  hardly  have 
known  what  to  do.  He  has  been  most  kind  and 
useful." 

"  I  do  not  think  he  really  loved  me,"  Laverne  an- 
swered, with  some  spirit. 

"  The  acquaintance  had  hardly  been  long  enough  for 
that.  And  a  man  at  his  time  of  life  has  lost  the  im- 
petuosity of  youth,"  the  elder  returned  rather  dryly. 

Laverne  had  made  one  protest  about  the  marriage. 
She  wanted  to  see  Uncle  Jason  first.  In  a  wav  she  be- 
longed to  him.  If  he  were  poor  and  unfortanate  he 
would  need  her  so  much  the  more. 

"  But  you  see  you  could  not  search  for  him  alone. 
We  will  both  try  to  find  him.  And  I  think  he  is  dearer 
than  your  father  was.  I  always  liked  him  so  much. 
And  his  home  shall  be  with  us  always." 

"  How  good  you  are,"  Laverne  murmured  with  deep 
feeling. 

It  was  not  merely  crossing  the  ocean,  that  was  done 
by  even  an  unattended  woman,  it  would  be  the  re- 
mainder of  the  journey,  and  that  would  prove  simply 
impossible.  But  Mrs.  Westbury  was  determined  to  have 
some  reflected  distinction  in  her  stepdaughter.  This 
marriage  had  an  aureole  of  romance  about  it.  She 


3i6    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

could  wash  her  hands  of  Laverne  in  a  very  satisfactory 
manner. 

So  it  was  a  very  pretty  wedding1  in  church,  with  the 
Doncaster  girls  for  bridesmaids  and  a  quiet  reception  to 
say  farewell  to  friends  as  they  were  to  sail  on  the  mor- 
row. Mrs.  Westbury  was  modest  in  her  white  crepe 
dress  with  the  plainest  of  adornment.  The  bride  was 
charming,  the  groom  a  proud  and  handsome  young  fel- 
low. Lord  Wrexford  bestowed  upon  her  a  handsome 
necklace  of  pearls  and  gave  her  the  best  of  wishes. 
Mrs.  Westbury  parted  with  some  jewels  she  cared  little 
about,  but  to  enhance  their  value  she  said  with  well- 
assumed  emotion : 

"  They  may  be  dear  to  you,  Laverne,  as  mementoes 
of  your  father.  He  was  a  good  judge  of  such  articles, 
and  would  have  the  best  or  none.  And  in  times  of  pros- 
perity he  was  most  generous.  Of  course,  he  had  not 
always  been  as  successful  as  during  these  last  few 
years." 

The  parting  was  very  amicable,  tender,  indeed,  with 
the  hope  that  Laverne  and  her  husband  would  find 
their  way  abroad  again.  It  was  hardly  likely  she 
would  ever  visit  America. 

They  began  their  new  life  as  lovers  indeed,  but  the 
hopes  of  both  were  centred  in  the  old  place  where 
they  had  first  met.  Dozens  of  fresh  recollections  came 
to  light  every  day.  His  memory  went  back  farther  than 
hers,  and  now  they  said  "  Old  San  Francisco."  He 
wondered  how  much  it  had  changed  in  the  four 
years,  and  she  supposed  Telegraph  Hill  had  been  cut 
down  still  more.  Probably  the  old  house  was  no  more. 
Pelajo  had  been  sent  over  to  Oaklands— would  he  be 


AN  ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  317 

alive?    And  had  the  squirrels  all  been  driven  to  other 
wilds  by  the  march  of  improvement  ? 

A  long,  long  journey  it  proved.  All  her  life  she  was 
to  be  a  great  traveller,  but  she  thought  then  these  two 
journeys  were  enough  to  satisfy  any  one. 

And  at  last  the  Golden  Gate  came  in  view.  Oh, 
had  it  ever  been  so  grand  and  imposing  before !  Here 
was  the  rocky  frowning  coast  line  with  its  few  breaks. 
The  sun  was  not  shining,  but  the  soft,  low  clouds  float- 
ing in  silvery  gray,  turning  to  mauve  with  here  and 
there  a  high  light  just  edging  them,  gave  the  gray 
brown  rocks  all  manner  of  indescribable  tints  that 
blended  with  the  gray  green  lapping  waves.  There 
was  no  stormy  aspect  about  it,  but  a  splendid,  serene 
peace.  Even  the  gulls  seemed  to  float  in  the  mysterious 
ether,  the  under  side  of  their  wings  matching  the  pre- 
vailing tint.  And  nothing  screamed,  or  cried,  or  dis- 
puted. Clusters  were  settled  sleepily  in  the  recesses 
of  the  rocks.  And  way  up  above  they  could  see  Mount 
Tamalpas  with  vales  and  woods  and  great  sandheaps 
between,  and  here  was  Sausalito,  Point  Bonito,  Point 
Lobos,  as  they  entered  in.  They  had  reached  the 
Promised  Land.  Laverne  glanced  up  with  eyes  full  of 
tears.  The  joy  was  too  deep  for  words. 

Here  were  streets  running  out  to  the  newly  begun 
sea  wall.  Here  were  new  piers,  the  Old  Fisherman's 
Pier  made  over.  Why,  Telegraph  Hill  had  stepped 
from  its  lofty  estate,  though  there  were  still  some 
terraces  left,  some  houses  perched  up  high  with  wind- 
ing paths.  Streets  straightened  down  to  Market  Street, 
which  seemed  to  cut  the  city  diagonally  in  two.  The 
old  islands,  the  opposite  shores,  the  towns  that  had 


3i8    A  LITTLE   GIRL   IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

sprung  up.  How  strange  and  yet  how  familiar.  But 
now  going  and  returning  was  such  an  ordinary  occur- 
rence that  there  were  no  great  crowds  to  welcome 
travellers.  And  every  one  seemed  so  intent  upon  busi- 
ness that  it  almost  confused  Laverne. 

There  were  three  who  came  to  greet  them.  Mr. 
Savedra,  Miss  Holmes,  and  Elena,  a  tall  girl  now,  with 
flashing  black  eyes,  a  saucy  scarlet  mouth,  and  brilliant 
complexion.  And  Miss  Holmes  was  no  longer  young, 
to  Laverne's  surprise,  who  had  always  held  her  in 
mind  as  she  had  appeared  on  that  first  voyage,  and  who 
had  never  noted  any  change  in  her  when  she  saw  her 
day  by  day. 

Victor  had  apprised  his  father  of  his  marriage  and 
Laverne  found  herself  tenderly  welcomed,  as  a  fore- 
taste of  what  was  awaiting  her  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  bay.  So  a  little  of  the  luggage  was  collected,  to 
follow  them  the  next  day,  and  they  left  the  fine,  new 
mail  ship  for  the  ferry  boat.  The  same  old  diversity 
of  people  that  looked  strange  now  to  the  young  girl. 
And  the  whirl,  the  bustle,  the  confusion  of  tongues,  the 
jostling  of  rough  and  refined,  how  queer  it  seemed. 

"You  have  hardly  changed,"  Miss  Holmes  said 
when  she  had  studied  her  for  some  time. 

"  Haven't  I  ?  "  with  the  old  girlish  smile.  "  Some- 
times I  feel  as  if  I  had  lived  a  hundred  years  in  these 
two.  Oh,  I  shall  have  so  much  to  tell  you." 

And  yet  she  had  an  oddly  pretty  air  and  self-posses- 
sion of  wifehood  gained  in  these  months  when  the  world 
of  travel  had  held  only  each  other,  when  every  day  had 
brought  new  revelations. 

The  remainder  of  the  family  were  out  on  the  porch 


AN  ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  319 

with  open  arms  and  kisses  that  it  was  worth  cross- 
ing the  ocean  to  win.  For  it  was  early  spring  again, 
with  everything  a  vision  of  beauty,  though  they  had 
left  midwinter  behind  somewhere.  Oh,  the  fragrance 
in  the  air,  had  she  ever  breathed  anything  so  delicious 
since  she  said  good-by  to  the  old  place ! 

They  were  very  glad  to  have  her,  if  the  marriage  had 
been  out  of  the  usual  order.  Isola  had  a  mind  to  be 
quite  jealous  of  Victor,  and  that  amused  him  greatly. 
She  had  improved  a  great  deal  under  Miss  Holmes' 
sensible  care  and  training,  and  had  an  exalted,  spiritual 
kind  of  grace  and  expression.  Laverne  felt  as  if  she 
had  gone  into  a  new  world,  and  the  atmosphere  was 
enchanting. 

There  was  so  much  to  say  that  midnight  came  before 
they  had  half  said  it.  And  it  was  not  until  the  next 
day  she  had  the  courage  to  inquire  if  anything  had 
been  heard  of  Uncle  Jason. 

Miss  Holmes  smiled.  "  Mr.  Savedra  has  a  story  for 
you,"  she  answered.  "  I  will  not  spoil  it." 

He  was  walking  up  and  down  the  path  with  Victor 
when  she  ran  out  to  him,  eager-eyed  and  breathless. 

"  If  you  have  missed  one  fortune,  you  seem  in  a 
fair  way  for  another,"  he  began  smilingly.  "  I  have 
been  telling  Victor."  He  put  his  arm  about  her  and 
drew  her  close.  "  Jason  Chadsey's  love  for  you  is  one 
of  the  rare  affections  seldom  met  with.  You  know 
we  were  all  surprised  to  learn  that  you  were  no  kin  to 
him.  But  your  mother  did  wisely  when  she  bequeathed 
you  to  him." 

"  Oh,  you  have  heard,  you  know "  she  inter- 
rupted vehemently.  "  He  is  living.  I — we,"  color- 


320     A.  LITTLE   GIRL   IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

ing,  "  must  go  and  find  him.  He  was  more  than  a 
father  to  me.  Oh,  tell  me,"  and  he  felt  her  pulse 
tremble. 

"You  need  not  go.  He  will  be  only  too  glad  to 
come  to  you.  Two  months  ago  I  was  surprised  when 
he  entered  my  office.  At  first  I  could  not  place  him. 
But  his  voice  and  his  eyes  recalled  him.  He  had  gone 
through  a  variety  of  adventures.  He  admitted 
that  he  had  been  eager  to  get  away  from  the  town  and 
forget  his  losses,  though  friends  would  have  been  ready 
enough  to  help  him  in  business  again.  He  wandered 
up  to  British  Columbia,  and  all  the  land  between  he 
thinks  marvellous  in  its  capabilities.  It  is  like  a 
romance  to  hear  him  talk.  Then  he  came  down  again, 
sometimes  trying  the  wilds  and  forests,  and  at  last  re- 
turning to  an  old  resolve  that  had  taken  possession  of 
him  before  he  saw  you — to  go  to  the  gold  fields.  And 
thither  he  found  his  way  about  six  months  ago.  At 
first  he  was  not  much  prepossessed.  It  seemed  as  if 
everything  worth  while  had  been  claimed.  Then  he 
fell  in  with  a  poor  young  man  dying  with  consumption, 
whose  claim  had  been  very  promising  in  the  be- 
ginning, 'but  some  way  had  failed,  but  he  had  not  lost 
faith  in  it  from  certain  scientific  indications.  They 
worked  together  for  a  while.  This  Jarvis,  it  seems, 
had  been  at  the  School  of  Mines  in  New  York.  But 
at  the  last  he  went  very  rapidly,  and  bequeathed  his 
claim  to  your  uncle.  A  week  after  he  had  buried  the 
poor  fellow  he  unearthed  the  secret  again,  and  it  was 
just  as  he  was  about  to  give  it  up.  He  made  no  com- 
ment, but  worked  steadily,  burying  his  gold  every 
night  instead  of  taking  it  to  his  cabin,  and  adroitly 


AN  ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  321 

hiding  the  real  lode.  His  companions  laughed  and 
jeered,  one  after  another  left  the  gulch.  Then,  as  I 
said,  he  came  down  to  me  with  two  or  three  small  bags 
of  gold  nuggets  hidden  about  his  person.  Upon  as- 
saying, they  turned  out  first-class.  So  he  left  them  in 
my  possession  and  went  back  again,  delighted  that  he 
was  at  last  on  the  sure  track  of  your  fortune.  He  had 
the  utmost  confidence  that  you  would  return  to  him 
when  you  were  of  age " 

"  Oh,  poor,  dear  Uncle  Jason !  His  life  has  been  de- 
voted to  me!  But  he  must  not  take  all  this  toil  and 
trouble.  I  do  not  care  for  the  fortune.  Oh,  you  must 
believe  that  if  I  had  not  been  compelled  to  go,  I  should 
never  have  left  him  in  adversity.  It  almost  broke  my 
heart/'  and  she  paused  in  tears. 

"  My  dear  child,  no  one  could  blame  you.  There 
was  no  other  course  then.  I  understand  how  he  felt 
about  it." 

"  And  now  I  must  go  to  him  at  once— — "  raising  her 
lovely  eyes,  full  of  entreaty. 

"  My  child,  it  will  be  better  to  send  for  him.  It  is 
a  rough  journey,  and  a  miner's  cabin  will  not  afford 
much  accommodation  for  a  lady,"  he  returned,  with 
gentle  firmness. 

"  But,  I  cannot  wait.  Why,  I  could  fly  to  him,"  and 
she  looked  in  her  beautiful  eagerness  as  if  she  might. 

"  And  Victor  promised — — "  glancing  at  him. 

"  We  can  send  a  messenger  at  once,  to-day,  and  a 
man  can  travel  more  rapidly,  put  up  with  hardships. 
Neither  can  we  lose  you,  when  we  have  hardly  seen 
you.  Think  how  patiently  he  is  waking,  almost  two 
years  more,  he  believes." 


322    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Laverne  did  yield  to  persuasion  at  length.  For  that 
matter  not  half  the  experiences  had  been  told  over. 
They  were  all  so  glad  to  have  her  that  she  felt  it  would 
be  ungracious  not  to  be  joyous  and  happy.  Elena 
wanted  to  hear  about  London.  Yes,  she  had  seen  the 
Queen  and  some  of  the  princesses,  but  she  had  not  been 
presented. 

"  She  would  have  been,  as  Lady  Wrexford,"  said 
Victor  laughingly.  "  And  you  can't  think  all  that  a  title 
counts  for  there.  I  wonder  she  wasn't  tempted.  For 
I  had  not  asked  her  then." 

"  But  I  had  promised  Uncle  Jason." 

Isola's  music  was  a  greater  delight  than  ever.  She 
had  improved  very  much  under  her  careful  training, 
though  her  soul's  desire  was  still  improvising. 

"  Oh,  how  you  would  be  admired  in  London," 
Laverne  cried  enthusiastically.  "  Such  a  gift  is  really 
wonderful.  Why  some  one  ought  to  write  it  down." 

"  Professor  Gerhart  has  tried  some  things.  But  you 
see  I  never  play  them  twice  quite  alike,  and  that  both- 
ers. I  want  to  turn  this  way  and  that,"  smiling,  yet 
flushing  a  little. 

"  Yes,"  Victor  added,  "  you  could  make  fame  and 
fortune  abroad." 

"  But  she  could  not  play  in  public,"  said  the  mother. 

Then  they  must  take  new  views  of  the  town. 

"  There  is  no  more  Old  San  Francisco,"  Victor  de- 
clared. "  One  would  hardly  credit  the  changes  if  he 
were  told." 

There  were  streets  now  running  out  to  Islais  Creek, 
where  the  marsh  was  being  filled  up.  And  the  queer 
little  corner,  where  the  streets  ran  a  block  or  two  in 


AN  ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  323 

every  direction  by  Channel  Creek,  still  held  some  adobe 
houses.  Some  day  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  would 
run  along  here  and  build  its  immense  freight  houses 
and  stations.  Market  Street  was  creeping  along.  Sand- 
hills had  been  toppled  over  into  depressions.  Great 
buildings  had  been  reared.  Kearny  Street  was  running 
up  over  Telegraph  Hill.  The  lower  end  was  given 
over  to  handsome  stores,  that  displayed  goods  which 
could  stand  comparison  with  any  other  city. 

Telegraph  Hill  was  to  be  lowered,  even  after  this 
revolution,  that  had  left  the  topmost  crest  fifty  or  sixty 
feet  above  sea  level.  It  had  a  rather  curious  aspect 
now.  Some  of  the  quaint  old  houses  had  been  lowered, 
and  smart  new  ones  formed  a  striking  contrast.  A  few 
scrubby  oaks,  firmly  rooted,  had  defied  removal,  it 
would  seem,  and  were  left  in  sandy  backyards.  The 
beautiful  pine  was  gone,  the  old  house  had  not  been 
worth  any  trouble,  and  so  had  shared  destruction. 

"  I  can't  make  it  seem  real,"  Laverne  said  piteously, 
with  tears  in  her  eyes.  "  There  is  no  more  Old  San 
Francisco." 

There  was  no  more  little  girl  either. 

But  farther  down  the  aspect  was  more  natural.  Here 
was  the  new  Presbyterian  Church,  where  she  had  seen 
the  old  one  burn  down.  And  here  was  Saint  Mary's, 
with  its  fine  spire  still  unfinished.  The  Mission  on 
Vallejo  Street,  and  St.  Patrick's  in  Happy  Valley,  and 
the  fine  school  of  Mission  de  Dolores,  they  had  all  im- 
proved, though  she  found  some  familiar  features. 

And  the  little  nucleus  of  China  Town  had  spread 
out.  While  the  old  Calif ornian  and  the  Spaniard  re- 
linquished the  distinguishing  features  of  the  attire,  the 


324    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Chinaman  in  his  blue  shirt,  full  trousers,  white  stock- 
ings, and  pointed  toes  set  way  above  the  soles,  and 
the  black  pigtail  wound  about  his  head,  looked  just  as 
she  had  seen  them  in  her  childhood,  and  they  had  not 
grown  appreciably  older,  or  had  they  always  been  old  ? 

Mr.  Dawson  had  died,  and  his  wife  had  retired  to  a 
handsome  private  dwelling,  and  kept  her  carriage.  The 
Folsom  House  was  much  grander,  and  Dick,  a  "  young 
blood/'  whom  girls  were  striving  in  vain  to  captivate. 
Mrs.  Folsom  wanted  to  hear  about  her  father's  death, 
and  if  her  stepmother  had  lived  up  to  her  promises. 

"  I  do  suppose  your  father  died  a  rich  man.  Or,  did 
it  all  take  wings  and  vanish  ?  " 

Laverne  answered  that  the  business  had  not  been 
settled,  and  that  Mrs.  Westbury  had  proved  very  kind 
to  her. 

"  I  never  could  quite  make  up  my  mind  about  her. 
Queer,  wasn't  it,  that  she  should  take  such  a  fancy  to 
you  and  insist  upon  having  you,  for  second  wives'  fan- 
cies don't  often  run  that  way.  I  had  an  idea  she  would 
marry  you  to  some  lord,  with  all  the  money,  they  ex- 
pected to  have.  And  here  you've  married  that  Mr.  Sa- 
vedra  and  come  back.  Does  any  one  hear  what  has  be- 
come of  that  old  uncle  of  yours  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,  he  keeps  in  touch  with  Victor's  father." 

"  It  was  too  bad  he  should  have  lost  all  by  that 
dreadful  fire.  Fires  have  been  the  bane  of  the  town, 
but  we  do  not  have  as  many  now.  Oh,  didn't  the  place 
look  queer  when  we  first  came.  There  were  rows  of 
tents  still,  and  such  shanties,  and  now  great  four-story 
brides  and  stone,  and  banks  and  business  places.  One 
would  hardly  believe  it  if  he  had  not  seen  it." 


AN   ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  325 

Mr.  Personette  was  in  a  large  real  estate  business, 
and  even  yet  was  hardly  reconciled  that  Howard  had 
not  gone  into  the  law.  But  he  was  very  well  satisfied 
with  what  he  called  "  real  business." 

Mrs.  Personette  was  stout  and  rosy,  and  had  been 
made  a  grandmother  twice.  Miss  Gaines  had  taken 
a  husband,  though  she  still  kept  up  a  very  stylish  estab- 
lishment. Sometimes  the  three  old  friends  met  and 
talked  over  their  adventures. 

Laverne  was  very  happy  and  added  a  great  charm 
to  the  household.  Elena  would  have  had  her  talk  con- 
tinually about  her  life  abroad. 

"  Why  do  you  not  make  Victor  describe  some  of 
the  places  where  he  has  been  ?  Every  summer  he  took 
a  journey  away/'  she  said,  rather  amused. 

"  He  talks  about  places.  You  always  put  in  the 
people,  and  they  are  more  interesting." 

Jason  Chadsey  was  startled  by  this  message.  His 
little  girl  really  here — but,  after  all,  another's,  At  first 
it  gave  him  a  sharp  pang.  Yes,  he  must  fly  to  her. 
So  he  picked  up  his  nuggets  again.  Norcross  Gulch 
was  about  deserted.  Better  mining  had  been  found 
up  on  a  little  stream  emptying  into  the  Sacramento. 
Cabins  had  mostly  been  carried  off,  shacks  had  fallen 
down.  Certainly,  nothing  could  look  more  dreary  than 
a  deserted  mining  region.  But  in  a  month  or  two  an- 
other horde  would  doubtless  invade  it. 

He  came  in  town  and  "  spruced  up,"  in  his  old  Maine 
vernacular,  was  trimmed  as  to  beard  and  hair,  and  pur- 
chased a  suit  of  new  clothes.  His  little  gjfl!  He 
ought  to  take  some  great  treasure  to  her.  What  if  she 
were  changed ;  but  no,  they  would  love  each  other  to 


326    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO 

the  very  end  of  life.  He  had  sent  her  away  in  that  des- 
perate time,  but  no,  he  could  not  have  kept  her. 

Ah,  what  a  meeting  it  was !  A  pretty  girl  with  the 
air  of  a  princess,  he  thought,  sweeter  than  some  of  the 
princesses  he  had  seen,  coming  back  to  his  arms  with 
all  the  old  love,  nay,  more  than  the  old  love.  For  now 
she  realized  what  his  affection  had  been,  and  how  he 
had  soothed  her  mother  in  those  last  sad  days.  And  she 
confessed  to  him  much  that  she  had  not  even  told  Vic- 
tor; how,  by  degrees,  she  had  learned  the  hollowness 
of  the  lavish  professions  that  had  put  on  the  semblance 
of  love  as  the  present  whim  had  swayed  Mrs.  West- 
bury,  and,  at  the  last,  she  had  been  really  relieved  to 
dismiss  her,  because  she  could  not  bend  her  to  her  de- 
sires. For  even  Laverne  had  not  suspected  her  of  aim- 
ing at  the  title  for  herself. 

"  And  she  takes  everything ! "  he  said  indignantly. 
"  He  was  concerned  with  a  company  that  will  make 
some  tremendous  fortunes  in  quicksilver — an  English 
company.  And  it  is  said  that  he  managed  by  underhand 
ways  to  get  possession  of  the  tract  while  he  was  here. 
They  have  just  sent  out  a  new  agent,  and  that  you, 
his  only  child,  should  have  no  part  nor  lot  in  this !  " 

"  Oh,  don't  mind,"  she  cried,  "  I  would  rather  belong 
to  you  in  poverty  than  to  live  with  them  in  luxury.  It 
was  dreadful  to  have  him  die  that  way ;  he  was  so  fond 
of  life,  and  business,  and  plans.  It  makes  me  feel  quite 
free  not  to  be  under  any  obligation  to  them.  And  I  do 
not  care  about  the  money.  I  would  a  hundred  times 
rather  have  stayed  with  you  and  helped  you,  and  com- 
forted you,  if  I  could  have  been  any  comfort." 

They  would  fain  have  kept  Jason  Chadsey  for  a 


AN   ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  327 

longer  stay,  but  he  was  a  little  restless  and  would  go 
back.  He  had  not  secured  all  the  Golden  Fleece,  he  de- 
clared, and  he  must  live  up  to  his  name.  But  he  would 
see  them  often  now.  To  himself  he  said,  he  must  get 
used  to  sharing  his  little  girl's  heart  with  another,  and, 
since  it  must  be,  he  would  rather  have  it  Victor  than  a 
stranger. 

They  were  all  very  happy  at  the  Savedras.  The 
house  was  large,  and  they  gave  them  room  and  the 
heartiest  of  welcomes.  And  there  was  room  in  the 
rapidly  growing  town,  and  need  for  young  men  of  cul- 
ture and  integrity  and  all  the  earnest  purposes  of  life 
that  mould  men  into  fine  citizens.  For  there  was  much 
work  to  do  in  this  glorious  land,  even  if  nature  had 
dealt  bountifully  by  it. 

And  then  came  the  terrific  struggle  that  swept 
through  the  country,  with  its  four  years  of  hopes  and 
fears,  sacrifices  and  sorrows,  and  the  loss  of  human 
lives.  California  took  her  share  bravely.  Gold  mines 
missed  the  rapid  influx,  the  city  had  to  call  a  halt  in 
improvements.  But  a  great  interest  in  agriculture  was 
awakened,  and  now  they  understood  that  this  might  be 
the  most  bountiful  garden  spot  of  the  world. 

Through  this  time  of  anguish  to  many,  Laverne  Sa- 
vedra  felt  that  she  had  been  singled  out  for  good  for- 
tune and  some  of  the  choicest  blessings  of  life.  Her 
little  son  was  born,  and  to  none  did  it  give  greater  joy 
than  to  Jason  Chadsey.  He  kept  at  his  lode  with 
varying  fortunes,  and  at  length  struck  his  aim  in  a 
splendid  nugget  that  for  a  while  was  the  town's  marvel. 
Now  the  place  swarmed  again,  and  he  was  offered  a 
fabulous  price  for  his  claim.  He  listened  at  length  to 


328    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN   OLD   SAN   FRANCISCO 

his  earnest  advisers,  and  retired  from  the  field.  For, 
though  he  was  not  an  old  man,  he  had  borne  much  of 
the  heat  and  burden  of  life,  and  won  a  resting  time. 

And,  after  years  of  trading  about  and  buying  a 
boat  of  his  own,  Captain  Hudson  sailed  in  to  San 
Francisco  one  fine  day  with  his  wife  and  three  babies, 
bright  rosy  children,  and  she  with  content  written 
in  every  line  of  her  face.  He  had  a  cargo  of  valu- 
ables consigned  to  several  San  Francisco  firms,  and 
they  were  overjoyed  to  meet  old  friends.  When 
her  first  baby  was  born,  Carmen  had  written  a  long, 
tender  letter  to  her  mother,  and  was  glad  to  have 
a  reply,  even  if  it  did  upbraid  her  dreadful  disobe- 
dience. After  that  matters  softened.  The  old  Papa 
Estenega  died,  and,  though  there  were  still  some 
distant  cousins,  he  left  the  estate  to  those  who 
had  cared  for  him  in  his  last  days.  Juana  had 
married  well,  and  Anesta  had  a  nice  lover.  She  was  to 
go  to  Monterey  to  see  them  all  as  soon  as  Captain  Hud- 
son could  be  spared. 

And  then,  the  last  spike  in  the  line  that  united  Cali- 
fornia with  the  East,  was  driven  by  Leland  Stanford 
in  May,  1869.  Railroads  were  being  built  elsewhere, 
but  this  was  the  dream  and  desire  of  the  Old  San  Fran- 
cisco that  had  almost  passed  away. 

But  nothing  could  take  away  the  beautiful  Bay  and 
the  Golden  Gate,  the  entrance  to  the  golden  land  that 
had  been  the  dream  of  centuries. 

Afterward  they  did  go  round  the  world.  Some  of 
the  old  ports  had  changed  greatly.  Some  just  as  Jason 
Chadsey  had  seen  them  thirty  or  more  years  agone. 
And  there  was  wonderful  Japan,  which  was  some  day 


AN  ENCHANTED  JOURNEY  3*9 

to  startle  the  world  with  its  marvellous  capacities. 
Strange  India,  with  its  old  gods  and  old  beliefs; 
Arabia,  the  Holy  Land,  with  its  many  vicissitudes; 
great,  barbarous  Russia,  Germany,  the  conqueror,  and 
the  beautiful  Eugenie  a  sorrowful  widow. 

In  Europe,  Isola  Savedra  joined  them,  and  did  make 
a  name  as  a  remarkable  improvisatrice.  She  did  not 
court  publicity,  but  the  higher  circles  of  music  were 
really  enchanted  with  her  marvellous  gift,  and  invita- 
tions came  from  crowned  heads  to  play  at  palaces. 

Lady  Wrexford  had  achieved  most  of  her  ambitions, 
and  was  a  social  success.  If  she  could  only  have  kept 
off  old  age ! 

They  came  back  well  content.  And,  lo!  again  San 
Francisco  had  changed,  stretched  out  up  and  down, 
with  the  hill-encircled  bay  on  one  side  and  the  ocean- 
fretted  rocks  on  the  other.  Is  this  old  Market  Street, 
and  this  Montgomery,  with  its  splendid  buildings? 
Whole  blocks  taken  up  by  spacious  hotels.  California 
Street,  with  its  palaces ;  Rearny  Street,  with  its  glitter- 
ing stores  and  throngs  of  handsome  shoppers  or  prome- 
naders — everywhere  a  marvellous  city. 

But  the  old  "  Forty-niners  "  are  gone,  the  Mexican 
in  his  serape  and  sombrero,  the  picturesque  Californian 
on  horseback,  and  nearly  all  the  wandering  Indians. 
Tents  and  shacks  and  two-roomed  adobe  houses  have 
disappeared  before  the  march  of  improvement. 

The  Savedras  are  prosperous  and  happy,  and  have  a 
lovely  home  out  of  the  turmoil  and  confusion,  where 
beautiful  nature  reigns  supreme.  And  an  old,  white- 
haired  man,  rather  bent  in  the  shoulders,  tells  a  group 
of  pretty,  joyous  children  about  the  Old  San  Francisco 


330    A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD   SAN  FRANCISCO 

of  half  a  century  before,  and  the  long  search  of  Jason 
after  the  Golden  Fleece  and  the  little  girl  that  he  loved 
so  well.  They  go  up  Telegraph  Hill  and  say,  "  Was  it 
here  she  and  Pablo  made  the  little  lake  for  Balder,  was 
it  here  she  climbed  up  the  crooked  paths  and  tamed 
birds  and  squirrels,  and  here  that  Bruno  killed  the  cruel 
fox  ?  "  It  is  more  wonderful  than  any  fairy  story  to 
them. 


THE  END 


THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  SANTA  CRUZ 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  DATE  stamped  below. 


APR  4    1973 


OCT26'85      A 

SEP  2  3  1985  REC'D 


m-l,'69(J5643s8)2373— 3A.1 


jot. 


PS1549.D7L5 


3 i  21 06  00206  7251 


